Phytoremediation of soils polluted by heavy metals and metalloids using crops: (i) the state of the art

Abstract

Phytoremediation has a strong potential as a natural, solar-energy driven remediation approach for the treatment of soils and sediments polluted. Research has focused several aspects of the process of uptake, translocation and storage of heavy metals in plants. However we can not predict when the technique could find practical application on large scale. Beyond the evaluation of the best suited species, little has been inquired on the multiple aspects of the agronomic management of phytoextraction. This review provides a synthesis of current knowledge on phytoextraction of metals from soils and their accumulation in plants.