Plant Based Sustainable Technology: Phytoremediation

AUTHOR

Neeraj Sethi^1*, Mandeep Kaur², Sushila Kaura ^2*

ABSTRACT  

Phytoremediation cleans contaminated areas with plants. Metals, pesticides, explosives, and oil can be removed by plants. These approaches work best in low-polluted environments because high levels can slow plant growth and delay cleanup. Plants also prevent wind, rain, and groundwater from spreading pollutants close to or deeper below. Some plants absorb water and nutrients through their roots to remove or breakdown harmful chemicals from soil, sediment, or groundwater. Plants use natural methods to eliminate pollutants. These pollutants might be stored in roots, stems, or leaves. Plants can also transform poisonous compounds into less dangerous ones in the root zone. They discharge pollutants into the air by turning them into vapours. Roots absorb poisons and use soil microbes like bacteria to breakdown them. Polluted groundwater migration is often slowed by phytoremediation. Trees collect groundwater through their roots to prevent displacement. Reduces polluted groundwater movement to uncontaminated areas beyond the site. Phytoremediation includes constructed wetlands. Wetlands can be created to treat acid mine drainage or water from other treatment systems. Indigenous marsh grasses and other species are grown in the area. Some plants remove contaminants better. Phytoremediation plants must be able to withstand current contaminants. They must also thrive and survive in the local climate. The level of pollutants also matters. Ferns and grasses have remedied shallow pollution. Due to their large root systems, poplar and willow trees are used for hydraulic control and cleanup of deep soil contamination and polluted groundwater.
Keywords: Heavy metal Contamination, Phytodegradation, Phytofiltration, Rhizodegradation