Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals: An Indispensable Contrivance in Green Remediation Technology

Abstract

Environmental contamination is triggered by various anthropogenic activities, such as using pesticides, toxic chemicals, industrial effluents, and metals. Pollution not only affects both lotic and lentic environments but also terrestrial habitats, substantially endangering plants, animals, and human wellbeing. The traditional techniques used to eradicate the pollutants from soil and water are considered expensive, environmentally harmful and, typically, inefficacious. Thus, to abate the detrimental consequences of heavy metals, phytoremediation is one of the sustainable options for pollution remediation. The process involved is simple, effective, and economically efficient with large-scale extensive applicability. This green technology and its byproducts have several other essential utilities. Phytoremediation, in principle, utilizes solar energy and has an extraordinary perspective for abating and assembling heavy metals. The technique of phytoremediation has developed in contemporary times as an efficient method and its success depends on plant species selection. Here in this synthesis, we are presenting a scoping review of phytoremediation, its basic principles, techniques, and potential anticipated prospects. Furthermore, a detailed overview pertaining to biochemical aspects, progression of genetic engineering, and the exertion of macrophytes in phytoremediation has been provided. Such a promising technique is economically effective as well as eco-friendly, decontaminating and remediating the pollutants from the biosphere.

Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) integrated phytotechnology: A sustainable approach for remediation of marginal lands

“…The rhizodegradation process is accelerated by microbes that take up nutrients (amino acids, carbohydrates, etc.) from the root secretions of the plant, increasing its efficiency and accelerating the extraction and removal of contaminants (Ashraf et al, 2019;Sabreena et al, 2022). Dissolution of the pollutant at the source is a key element of rhizodegradation, which focuses on the complete mineralization of the organic pollutant by transferring it to the plant or atmosphere.…”

“…Halophytes are thought to be naturally well-adapted to live in HM-contaminated surroundings in contrast to most glycophyte plants. The plant's ability to desalinate soil is determined by the species, as well as soil properties like salinity, sodicity, and porosity, as well as other climatic elements like rainfall (Sabreena et al, 2022).…”

Ecological adaptation of earthworms for coping with plant polyphenols, heavy metals, and microplastics in the soil: A review

“…The serious problem of HMs and microplastic is their entrance into the food chain from soil and water, which results in their transfer from lower trophic levels to higher trophic levels. They become toxic, non-biodegradable, and accumulated in the bodies of animals (including human) leading to their mortality [ [27] , [28] , [29] ]. Gut microbial community helps earthworm to cope with the effect of HMs and microplastics.…”

Interaction of Lead and Cadmium Reduced Cadmium Toxicity in Ficus parvifolia Seedlings

“…This approach attracts extensive attention due to its low cost, high efficiency, and sustainability [ 17 ]. According to the accumulation and translocation characteristics of PTEs in plants, phytoremediation could be divided into phytoextraction, phytostabilization, and so on [ 18 ]. Phytostabilization takes advantage of the restraint of PTEs mobility and bioavailable in soils through plant roots to reduce the effect of PTEs on soil [ 19 ].…”

“…Therefore, the ability to absorb and transfer PTEs in plants plays an important role in phytoremediation technology. Moreover, the substrate of pH values, organic matter content, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and other soil properties are important factors affecting metal bioavailability and mobility [ 18 ]. Previous studies [ 21 , 22 ] revealed that the organic compounds could combine with functional groups and Cd to form stable complexes, thereby reducing the bioavailability of Cd.…”