Commentary - (2025) Volume 8, Issue 1
Received: 01-Jan-2025, Manuscript No. pollution-25-167416;
Editor assigned: 03-Jan-0025, Pre QC No. P-167416;
Reviewed: 15-Jan-2025, QC No. Q-167416;
Revised: 22-Jan-2025, Manuscript No. R-167416;
Published:
29-Jan-2025
, DOI: 10.37421/2684-4958.2025.1.361
Citation: Karin, Maya. “Phytoremediation of Polluted Soils: Current Advances and Challenges.” Pollution 8 (2025): 361.
Copyright: © 2025 Karin M. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Soil contamination is a growing environmental concern that threatens agricultural productivity, biodiversity and human health. Among the innovative approaches to mitigating soil pollution, phytoremediation has garnered significant attention for its environmental sustainability and cost-effectiveness. Phytoremediation refers to the use of green plants to remove, contain, or render harmless environmental pollutants in soils, sludge, sediments, surface water and groundwater. Recent advancements in plant science and soil microbiology have substantially increased the efficiency of this approach, positioning it as a viable alternative to conventional methods such as soil excavation and chemical treatment. Various species such as Brassica juncea (Indian mustard), Pteris vittata (Chinese brake fern) and Populus deltoides (eastern cottonwood) have been effectively used to absorb and accumulate heavy metals like lead, cadmium and arsenic. Additionally, the use of transgenic plants engineered to tolerate and detoxify high concentrations of pollutants has shown promise in controlled settings.
The involvement of plant-associated microbes, particularly endophytes and rhizobacteria, further enhances metal uptake and resistance in plants. Despite its potential, phytoremediation faces practical challenges such as slow pollutant removal rates, limited root penetration, climatic dependencies and the problem of disposing of contaminated biomass [1]. Moreover, the success of field-scale phytoremediation is highly site-specific and may require a combination of plant species, microbial additives and soil amendments to be effective. Regulatory support and long-term monitoring frameworks are essential to ensure the reliability and acceptance of this technology. Interdisciplinary research involving ecologists, agronomists and environmental engineers can help in refining phytoremediation techniques for broader application. In conclusion, phytoremediation stands as a promising and environmentally sound method for remediating polluted soils. Its integration with biotechnological innovations and ecological practices may pave the way for its mainstream adoption, contributing significantly to global soil restoration initiatives [2].
Phytoremediation is an emerging green technology that utilizes the natural abilities of certain plants to remediate contaminated soils by extracting, degrading, or immobilizing pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides, hydrocarbons and other hazardous chemicals. This method offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to conventional physical and chemical remediation techniques, which can be expensive and environmentally damaging [2]. Recent advances have focused on enhancing phytoremediation efficiency through genetic engineering, which allows plants to better tolerate and accumulate toxic substances. Additionally, the synergistic interactions between plants and rhizospheric microorganisms have gained attention, as microbes can metabolize or transform pollutants into less harmful forms, thereby supporting the phytoremediation process. Innovative strategies involving the use of hyperaccumulator species, plant growth-promoting bacteria and nanomaterials have also shown promise in accelerating contaminant removal and improving soil health. Despite these advancements, phytoremediation faces significant challenges, including the limited bioavailability of contaminants, slow degradation rates, climatic and soil condition constraints and potential risks of contaminant transfer through the food chain. This article reviews the current state of phytoremediation technologies, discusses recent scientific breakthroughs and identifies the key obstacles that must be addressed to realize its full potential for large-scale environmental restoration.
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