Energy plants as biofuel source and as accumulators of heavy metals

Abstract

Fossil fuel depletion and soil and water pollution gave impetus to the development of a novel perspective of sustainable development. In addition to the use of plant biomass for ethanol production, plants can be used to reduce the concentration of heavy metals in soil and water. Due to tolerance to high levels of metals, many plant species, crops, non-crops, medicinal, and pharmaceutical energy plants are well-known metal hyperaccumulators. This paper focuses on studies investigating the potential of Miscanthus sp., Beta vulgaris L., Saccharum sp., Ricinus communis L. Prosopis sp. and Arundo donax L. in heavy metal removal and biofuel production. Phytoremediation employing these plants showed great potential for bioaccumulation of Co, Cr, Cu, Al, Pb, Ni, Fe, Cd, Zn, Hg, Se, etc. This review presents the potential of lignocellulose plants to remove pollutants being a valuable substrate for biofuel production. Also, pretreat-ments, dealing with toxic biomass, and biofuel production are discussed.

Molecular Basis of Energy Crops Functioning in Bioremediation of Heavy Metal Pollution

“…One of the advantages of energy crops is that those used for remediating heavy metals can still produce biofuels to replace certain fossil fuels. However, the current known energy crops capable of producing biofuels are the most common species, such as sugar beet, maize, sugar cane, and castor [146]. The effectiveness of biofuel production varies among different energy crops.…”

“…Heavy metal remediation by energy crops is still in the experimental phase, involving potting and field trials, with potentially insufficient validation, and commercialization may take some time [146]. Hence, further data support, adequate funding, and wellestablished regulations are indispensable for heavy metal contamination remediation by energy crops [148].…”