In Belgium, a study uses Cannabis to depollute soils

The therapeutic properties of Cannabis are well known, but so are the industrial prowess that can be extracted from its fibers. Belgian researchers are now investigating its ability to «depollute» contaminated soil by heavy metals. This is the aim of an ongoing study conducted by the Université Catholique de Louvain. The results could «promising», according to the scientists.

« Hemp accumulates heavy metals in its aerial parts and implements resistance strategies in the face of a polluted environment».», enthuses Marie Luyckx, a doctoral student in plant physiology, in the press release of the University. The researcher is co-directing the study with Stanley Lutts, a professor in the Faculty of Science.

In concrete terms, the scientists will grow hemp in greenhouses, then directly in the ground. Once planted, it would have to «clean» soil contaminated by cadmium, zinc or lead. In those days, industrialists didn't bother: they dumped the heavy metals directly into the soil. These soils can also suffer from excessive levels of fertilizers used in agriculture.

In Europe, the equivalent of Greece in polluted soils

Polluted soil cannot be cultivated to produce human food. So it's a matter of cleaning them up. Especially since, «In Europe, 137,000 km2 of farmland are contaminated with heavy metals, making them unsuitable for food use.», notes the University. It's the equivalent of the territory of Greece.

Once the soil has been cleaned, what happens to the Cannabis plant? Will it have absorbed all those heavy metals? No, swears the university, which promises that the plant could even be used in industry. On one condition: it can be used «In addition to the above, we also offer a range of »Oeko-tex" standards and/or associated treatments to prevent the release of heavy metals.

The two researchers «We plan to analyze the flowers of contaminated hemp to determine whether they are healthy and can be used to produce cannabinoids for therapeutic use.», promises the press release.

A previous American study suggested that hemp flowers grown in a polluted environment were suitable for consumption.