Phytoremediation of soils polluted by heavy metals and metalloids: Recent case studies in Latin America

HERNÁNDEZ GUIANCE, SABRINA; CORIA, DANIEL; FAGGI, ANA; BASÍLICO, GABRIEL

Phytoremediation: Management of Environmental Contaminants, Volume 7

Springer

Año: 2023;

The complexity of the soil matrix makes conventional physicochemical remediation treatments costly and not always suitable for large areas. Therefore, phytoremediation, the application of plants and microorganisms associated with their rhizosphere has emerged as an interesting alternative and the most economical. The physicochemical and biological processes that phytoremediation encompasses are removal, transfer, stabilization and neutralization, among others. It is an effective, inexpensive method to restore the functional and structural properties of the soil and promote the activity of organisms. It is also applicable to large surfaces and to prevent erosion. The present work consists of a review of different recent case studies on phytoremediation of metal-polluted soil in several Latin American countries. The selection of native plant species, the isolation and inoculation of microorganisms that contribute to improve the removal of metals and the joint application of amendments are common characteristics among many cases analyzed.