PHYTOREMEDIATION: THE ROLE OF PLANTS IN MITIGATING ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

Abstract

Phytoremediation, a natural process involving plants to remediate envi- ronmental pollutants, has emerged as a sustainable and eco-friendly ap- proach to mitigate pollution. This review explores the potential of various plant species in addressing soil, water, and air contamination by heavy metals, organic pollutants, and other toxins. Unlike conventional remedia- tion techniques, phytoremediation leverages plants’ natural mechanisms to absorb, degrade, or transform pollutants, making it a promising alternative for environmental clean-up.The review highlights key phytoremediation mechanisms, including phytoextraction, phytodegradation, phytovolatil- ization, and rhizodegradation, emphasizing plant species, environmental factors, and pollutant types. Plants effectively immobilize or degrade con- taminants through their root systems and associated microorganisms, im- proving soil and water quality. Focus is given to the remediation of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic, as well as organic pollutants like pesticides and hydrocarbons. Additionally, the review discusses ad- vancements in genetic engineering to enhance plant remediation capabil- ities, improving pollutant uptake and degradation. Despite its potential, challenges such as slow remediation rates, plant stress under extreme conditions, and scalability for large-scale applications are addressed. The review concludes by identifying future research needs, emphasizing the importance of optimizing plant species selection, enhancing uptake effi- ciency, and overcoming practical limitations. Overall, this review under- scores phytoremediation’s role in sustainable environmental management and its potential to mitigate pollution across ecosystems.