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Phytoremediation: A Novel Strategy for the Removal of Toxic Metals from the Environment Using Plants

Bio/Technology volume 13, pages 468–474 (1995)Cite this article

Abstract

Toxic metal pollution of waters and soils is a major environmental problem, and most conventional remediation approaches do not provide acceptable solutions. The use of specially selected and engineered metal-accumulating plants for environmental clean-up is an emerging technology called phytoremediation. Three subsets of this technology are applicable to toxic metal remediation: (1) Phytoextraction—the use of metal-accumulating plants to remove toxic metals from soil; (2) Rhizoflltration—the use of plant roots to remove toxic metals from polluted waters; and (3) Phytostabilization—the use of plants to eliminate the bioavailability of toxic metals hi soils. Biological mechanisms of toxic metal uptake, translocation and resistance as well as strategies for improving phytoremediation are also discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. AgBiotech Center, Rutgers University, Cook College, P.O. Box 231, New Brunswick, NJ, 08903

    David E. Salt, Michael Blaylock, Nanda P.B.A. Kumar, Viatcheslav Dushenkov, Ilan Chet & Ilya Raskin

  2. Phytotech Inc., 1 Deer Park Dr., Suite I, Monmouth Junction, NJ, 08852

    Burt D. Ensley

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  1. David E. Salt
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Salt, D., Blaylock, M., Kumar, N. et al. Phytoremediation: A Novel Strategy for the Removal of Toxic Metals from the Environment Using Plants. Nat Biotechnol 13, 468–474 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0595-468

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