Did you know sunflowers were used to purify radioactive soil? Here’s how & 9 other things you didn’t realize sunflowers could do

Sunflowers have been used in phytoremediation, a process that uses plants to remove contaminants from the environment. After the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, sunflowers were planted to help clean up radioactive soil. These plants are particularly effective at absorbing heavy metals and radioactive isotopes, such as cesium-137 and strontium-90, from the soil and water. In one study, sunflowers were shown to reduce radioactive contamination in water by up to 95% in just 10 days.

Their ability to absorb these harmful substances is due to their extensive root systems and rapid growth. Sunflowers can grow up to 12 feet tall, and their roots can reach depths of 6 feet, allowing them to access and absorb contaminants from deep within the soil. This makes them an invaluable tool in environmental cleanup efforts, not only in areas affected by nuclear disasters but also in sites contaminated by heavy metals and other pollutants.