Carbon Balance in Georgia’s Industrial Soils and Eco-Phytoremediation-Based Regeneration

Abstract

Industrial soils are experiencing severe degradation and a sharp decrease in organic carbon content as a result of anthropogenic impacts. This study analyzes the main mechanisms of soil carbon balance disturbance in industrial zones and discusses possible restoration strategies based on ecophytoremediation approaches. The study pays special attention to the possibility of using industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) as one of the most effective means for carbon dioxide sequestration. The methodology is based on the analysis of literary sources, the summary of soil data and the evaluation of practical reclamation models. The results show that the selection of the right plant cover and enrichment with biocarbon contribute to the partial restoration of the carbon balance in industrial soils.