Phytoremediation for Heavy Metal Removal from Soils

Abstract

In the present scenario, phytoremediation has become more widespread subject of interest to researchers and stake holders for remediation of heavy metal contaminated soils. Phytoremediation uses different processes for remediation of pollutants, such as organic pollutants can be degraded in the rhizosphere or they can be taken up by the plant, then degraded, sequestrated or volatilized and inorganic pollutants can be sequestrated or stabilized in harvestable vegetation. Plants selected for phytoremediation must be fast growing and having the ability accumulate large quantities of metal contaminants in their shoot tissue. One of the major advantages of phytoremediation is low cost, however complete and rapid removal of contaminants from the soil is not possible.