Is the production of kenaf in heavy metal contaminated soils a sustainable option?

Kenaf is a fiber crop producing high quality cellulose, suitable for the production of biomaterials. In order to avoid the conflict food versus fuel/biomaterials, the use of marginal land represents an alternative. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the environmental-socio-economic impact of the production of kenaf in heavy metal contaminated soils. To determinate the environmental-socio-economic sustainability, different categories were studied: energy savings/losses, emission of gases, cost savings/losses, employment potential creation and consumers/producers acceptance. Results suggest that the production of kenaf in heavy metal contaminated soils have positive and less positive aspects. The productivity loss in contaminated soils diminishes the energy, the carbon sequestered, the greenhouse savings and the economic balance but it may contribute to improve the quality of soil and waters and the biological and landscape diversity. But the production of kenaf in contaminated soils still involves much controversy, and not always have social acceptance.