Document Type
Poster
Publication Title
Northrop Grumman Engineering & Science Student Design Showcase
Abstract
Long-term Lunar and Martian settlements will require sustainable food production to ensure stability and security. Regolith at these sites may serve as a viable substrate for space crop production. However, both regoliths contain heavy metals that are detrimental to plant growth and may bioaccumulate to be toxic to settlers as well.
Hyperaccumulating plants accumulate metals in their roots and shoots by forming metal complexes that store and/or detoxify metal ions absorbed by the plant. Such hyperaccumulators can assist in both phytoremediation and phytomining.
Here, I evaluate the potential of Helianthus annuus (sunflower), a known hyperaccumulator of heavy metals, including lead, nickel, and cadmium, to grow and remediate Martian and Lunar regolith simulants.
Advisor
Andrew G. Palmer
Publication Date
4-25-2025
Recommended Citation
Cheek, Davonya, "Metal extraction of regolith by Phytomining" (2025). Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Student Publications. 48.
https://repository.fit.edu/apss_student/48
