Molecular approach for phytoremediation of metal-contaminated sites

Abstract

Phytoremediation is the process which utilizes plants to extract, sequester, or detoxify pollutants in soils and surface waters. There are examples of many plants which can hyperaccumulate metals in their shoots. For example, Alyssum lesbiacum can be grown in Ni (II)-rich soil; nickel is rapidly transported into the plant and accumulates to 3% of the dry weight of above-ground tissues. The process has been explored at molecular levels and several genes related to transport, accumulation and detoxification of metals have been reported from bacteria, plants and animals. Transgenic plants having genes for detoxification have a greater potential for phytoremediation. Here, we have reviewed the current developments in phytoremediation that focus mainly on the molecular aspects.