Phytoremediation- Friendlier and Affordable Approach to Remediate Heavy Metal Pollution

Abstract

Water and soil contamination is currently one of the world's most serious problems. Various heavy metals such as zinc, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, and copper dissolve in water, causing a variety of health problems such as cardiovascular illnesses, kidney damage, and the risk of death in diabetic and cancer patients. Soil pollution can also reduce crop yields, affecting the food chain and economy. Different physical and chemical procedures for soil and waste water treatment are available; however they are insufficient in terms of cost and availability. But wouldn't it be wonderful if we could instead use nature to aid nature? "Phytoremediation," a technique in which plants absorb heavy metals from soil and waste water as a nutrient and purify the medium, is the greatest natural remedy for treating this problem. Since the 1990s, it has been an extensively employed approach. The damaging consequences of heavy metals in living systems are discussed in this article, as well as the function of phytoremediation in treating this problem, future possibilities and challenges.