THE CHALLENGES OF REMEDIATING METALS USING PHYTOTECHNOLOGIES

IBAÑEZ S; WEVAR OLLER AL; PAISIO CE; SOSA ALDERETE, LG; GONZALEZ PS; MEDINA MI.; AGOSTINI E

Heavy Metals in the Environment: Microorganisms and Bioremediation

Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Lugar: Boca Raton ; Año: 2018; p. 190 - 209

Phytoremediation, now included within the broader concept of phytotechnologies, is the strategic use of plants for the recovery of contaminated environments, and it has been increasingly considered as a sustainable approach for such purposes. Even though there have been numerous advances in the understanding of genetics, physiology and biochemistry of phytoremediation that have allow to enhance plants? tolerance and metabolism, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed to become it in a widely used practice. Among them, the most challenging goals include: modification of work-scale to mimic the realism of polluted soils, adjustment of phytoremediation research to the field, monitoring of activities post phytotechnology application and generation of valuable phyto-products to reach economical sustainability. Although these issues have begun to be addressed, they require joint efforts from different stakeholders involved. In this chapter we will review the encouranging advances reached in the last years and highlight aspects that remain to be explored, specifically regarding metals phytoremediation.