HENDRIX MATUMBE B213951B
ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
PHYTOREMEDIATION NOTES
1. Introduction to Phytoremediation
Phytoremediation is a plant-based, eco-friendly technology that utilizes
vegetation to remediate contaminated soils, water, and air. As a subset of
environmental biotechnology, it offers a sustainable alternative to energy-
intensive mechanical or chemical remediation methods. By leveraging
natural biological processes, phytoremediation minimizes ecosystem
disruption, reduces costs, and enhances aesthetic value. Its applications
span heavy metals, radionuclides, petroleum hydrocarbons, pesticides, and
chlorinated solvents.
2. Fundamentals of Phytoremediation
Key Mechanisms
1. Uptake & Translocation: Plants absorb contaminants via roots,
translocating them to shoots through xylem.
2. Rhizosphere Interactions: Root exudates (organic acids, enzymes)
enhance microbial activity, degrading organic pollutants.
3. Immobilization: Contaminants are stabilized in soil or plant tissues to
prevent leaching.
Factors Influencing Efficiency
Plant Species: Hyperaccumulators (e.g., Thlaspi caerulescens) excel in
metal uptake.
Contaminant Properties: Solubility, bioavailability, and chemical form
(e.g., Cr⁶⁺ vs. Cr³⁺).
Soil Conditions: pH, organic matter, and nutrient availability affect metal
mobility.
Microbial Synergy: Mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobacteria enhance nutrient
uptake and degradation.
3. Major Methods of Phytoremediation
3.1 Phytoaccumulation (Phytoextraction)
Definition: Plants absorb contaminants from soil, concentrating them in
harvestable shoots/leaves.
Mechanism:
Metal Transporters: Root membrane proteins (e.g., ZIP, NRAMP) facilitate
metal uptake.
Chelation: Phytochelatins and metallothioneins bind metals, sequestering
them in vacuoles.
Applications:
Hyperaccumulators: Brassica juncea (Pb, Cd), Alyssum murale (Ni).
Genetic Engineering: Transgenic plants with enhanced metal transporters
(e.g., Arabidopsis expressing TaHMA2 for Zn/Cd).
Advantages:
Cost-effective for large-scale metal-contaminated sites.
Produces biomass for bioenergy or metal recovery.
Limitations:
Slow process (years to decades).
Risk of food chain contamination if non-harvested.
3.2 Phytovolatilization
Definition: Plants uptake contaminants, convert them to volatile forms, and
release via transpiration.
Mechanism:
Biochemical Conversion: Enzymatic reduction (e.g., Hg²⁺ → Hg⁰
in Nicotiana tabacum via merA gene).
Translocation: Volatilized compounds (e.g., Se as dimethylselenide) exit
through stomata.
Applications:
Mercury (Hg) in wetlands using transgenic poplars.
Selenium (Se) in agricultural drainage water.
Advantages:
Effective for volatile elements.
Minimal soil disturbance.
Limitations:
Transfers contamination to air; regulatory concerns.
Limited to specific contaminants.
3.3 Rhizofiltration
Definition: Use of plant roots to absorb, precipitate, or adsorb contaminants
from aqueous systems.
Mechanism:
Adsorption: Contaminants bind to root surfaces (e.g., sunflowers for
uranium).
Precipitation: Root exudates alter pH, immobilizing metals as hydroxides.
Applications:
Wastewater treatment (e.g., Helianthus annuus for radionuclides).
Hydroponic systems for industrial effluents.
Advantages:
High surface area of roots enhances efficiency.
Suitable for both organic and inorganic pollutants.
Limitations:
Requires periodic root harvesting.
Limited to shallow water bodies.
3.4 Phytostabilization
Definition: Immobilizes contaminants in soil via root absorption and
chemical binding.
Mechanism:
Soil Amendments: Lime, phosphate, or compost reduce metal
bioavailability.
Root Barrier: Dense root systems (e.g., grasses) prevent erosion and
leaching.
Applications:
Mining sites with multi-metal contamination.
Urban brownfields using Festuca rubra (red fescue).
Advantages:
Rapid implementation.
Reduces human/ecological exposure.
Limitations:
Contaminants remain in situ; long-term monitoring required.
Limited to sites with low toxicity.
4. Advantages and Limitations of Phytoremediation
Advantages:
Cost-Effective: 10–20% the cost of traditional methods.
Ecological Benefits: Carbon sequestration, habitat restoration.
Public Acceptance: Aesthetically pleasing.
Limitations:
Depth Constraint: Limited to root zones (0.5–1 m).
Time-Intensive: Years for significant results.
Toxicity Risks: Plant mortality or contaminant transfer.
5. Conclusion and Future Directions
Phytoremediation bridges biotechnology and environmental engineering,
offering scalable solutions for pollution mitigation. Innovations such as
CRISPR-edited hyperaccumulators and rhizosphere microbiome engineering
promise enhanced efficiency. Integration with technologies like
electrokinetics or nanobiotechnology could address depth and speed
limitations. As industries prioritize sustainability, phytoremediation will play a
pivotal role in circular economy frameworks.
