Phytoremediation Technology: Hyper-accumulation Metals in Plants

Abstract

This paper reviews key aspects of phytoremediation technology and the biological mechanisms underlying phytoremediation. Current knowledge regarding the application of phytoremediation in alleviating heavy metal toxicity is summarized highlighting the relative merits of different options. The results reveal a cutting edge application of emerging strategies and technologies to problems of heavy metals in soil. Progress in phytoremediation is hindered by a lack of understanding of complex interactions in the rhizosphere and plant based interactions which allow metal translocation and accumulation in plants. The evolution of physiological and molecular mechanisms of phytoremediation, together with recently-developed biological and engineering strategies, has helped to improve the performance of both heavy metal phytoextraction and phytostabilization. The results reveal that phytoremediation includes a variety of remediation techniques which include many treatment strategies leading to contaminant degradation, removal (through accumulation or dissipation), or immobilization. For each of these processes, we review what is known for metal pollutants, gaps in knowledge, and the practical implications for phytoremediation strategies.

Cost–benefit calculation of phytoremediation technology for heavy-metal-contaminated soil

“…Phytoremediation is considered an economical and environmentally friendly method of exploiting plants to extract contaminants from soil (Padmavathiamma and Li, 2007;Prasad, 2003). This process is relatively cost-effective compared with other remediation techniques.…”

Bacterial-assisted cadmium phytoremediation by Ocimum gratissimum L. in polluted agricultural soil: a field trial experiment

“…The time required for remediation ranges from 1 to 20 years depending on the type and concentration of heavy metals, the heavy metal removal efficiency of plants, and the plant growth rate (Padmavathiamma and Li 2007). In general, the use of heavy metal-hyperaccumulating plants has been recommended for phytoextraction of soil contaminated with heavy metals .…”

Effect of activated carbon in PSF-PEI-Ag symmetric membrane

“…Sorption involved a physical attachment of organic material onto adsorbate surface. Example of industrial application utilizing adsorption process were water purification by using synthetic resin and activated charcoal as adsorbate [10].…”

“…The properties of activated carbon as a highly amorphous solid with micro crystallite and graphic lattice would increase adsorption performance especially in this context the heavy metal present in wastewater [10]. Therefore, this study proposed a composite membrane consist of polysulfone, polyethyleneimine, n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, silver nitrate and activated carbon to reduce heavy metals present in the wastewater.…”