Phytoremediation technology for removal of heavy metals: A brief review

Abstract

Heavy metals, when exceeds the permissible limits, regarded as environmental pollutants. The agricultural fields, along with countryside areas are the most affected areas due to heavy metal contaminants affecting the crop yields. When these heavy metals find their way into the food chain possess a serious threat to plant and animal health. The industrial discharge, mining waste, chemical fertilizer industries are some of the main sources of heavy metal accumulation. The removal or reduction of these heavy metals from the agricultural fields are the unceasing requirements. One of the important and easy methods is removal or reduction with the help of plants which is known as phytoremediation, and it takes advantage of the remarkable ability of plants to concentrate elements and compound from the environment. This technology is immerging as a cost-effective way to address high cost involved in pollution abatement technologies. Toxic heavy metals and organic pollutants are the major targets for phytoremediation. This review article discusses the state of phytoremediation technology for the removal of heavy metals mainly from the soil.