Plant and microbe mediated bioremediation: A long-term remedy for heavy metal pollution

Abstract

As we progress farther into the industrial age of the twenty-first century, we see that many types of pollutants emitted into the air, water, and land are becoming increasingly burdensome to our environment. These pollutants have a major impact on humans, plants, and animals. Heavy metals are the most hazardous elements in our ecosystem since they are extremely harmful to the environment and continue to build up in our food chain. We must learn about the harmful consequences of heavy metals and work to reduce them using the most environmentally friendly methods feasible. This review discusses how bioremediation helps to reduce heavy metal concentrations in our ecosystem using biological agents, such as algae, fungi, bacteria, and plants. The paper also investigates various phytoremediation and microbial remediation mechanisms involved in metal detoxification or transformation into less toxic forms, which lower the adverse effects of heavy metals in animals, plants, and humans.