Solar plant device removes cesium from soil

September 25, 2025

A team of scientists has developed a solar-powered artificial plant capable of removing radioactive cesium from contaminated soil with remarkable efficiency. In laboratory tests, the device reduced cesium levels by over 95% within 20 days, offering a groundbreaking solution for cleaning land polluted by nuclear accidents and agricultural contamination.

Mimicking nature to tackle radioactive waste

Developed at the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST), the device mimics a natural plant’s transpiration process. Powered entirely by sunlight, it draws contaminated water from the soil through a stem-like structure. Inside its artificial “leaves,” a special adsorbent material traps cesium ions, while purified water evaporates and cycles back into the ground.

“This study demonstrates that solar energy can be harnessed to purify contaminated soil by simply installing the device, without the need for complex equipment,” said Professor Seongkyun Kim, who led the research.

Why radioactive cesium is dangerous

Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope with a half-life of 30 years, poses a serious long-term threat to ecosystems and human health. Because it dissolves easily in water, cesium spreads rapidly through soil, plants, and food chains. Once ingested, it can accumulate in muscles and bones, increasing risks of cancer and organ damage.

Incidents such as the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan revealed the scale of this problem, leaving farmland and water sources contaminated and raising food safety concerns worldwide.

Limitations of previous cleanup methods

Traditional cleanup methods involve physically removing and treating contaminated soil, an expensive and invasive process. Researchers have also tested phytoremediation—using natural plants to absorb cesium—but it is slow, weather-dependent, and produces radioactive biomass waste.

Professor Kim explained:

“Radioactive cesium in soil presents a more serious challenge than in water, and until now, there has been no proper method for purification.”

A reusable, cost-effective solution

Unlike earlier approaches, the artificial plant is reusable and practical:

• The “leaves” can be replaced once saturated with cesium.
• An acidic solution can wash out the cesium, allowing the adsorbent to be recycled multiple times.
• Powered only by solar energy, it requires no external water or electricity.

This makes the device especially promising for remote nuclear accident sites, farmlands, or contaminated industrial areas, where conventional remediation is difficult or too costly.

Toward safer, cleaner environments

Early trials confirm the technology is far faster than natural methods, compressing a months-long process into just weeks. Researchers believe this innovation could become a scalable tool for radioactive soil purification, reducing both environmental and health risks.