Phytoextraction of heavy metals – the process and scope for remediation of contaminated soils

Contamination of lands with toxic heavy metals is a widespread environmental issue resulting from global industrialization. Conventional techniques for reclamation of such soils are expensive and environmental non-friendly. Phytoremediation is an emerging group of technologies utilizing green plants to clean up the environment from contaminants and has been offered as a cost-effective and non-invasive alternative to the conventional engineering-based remediation methods. There are different versions of phytoremediation viz. phytoimmobilization, phytostabilization, rhizofilteration, phytovolatilization and phytoextraction, the latter being most widely accepted for remediation of soils contaminated with toxic heavy metals. Different aspects of phytoextraction and scope of this technology for remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils are reviewed discussing challenges and opportunities in realizing phytoextraction as an economically viable remediation method.