Phytoremediation: a green technology

The technology of phytoremediation is cost effective and ecologically friendly in which plant utilizes its natural abilities to restore environment. In nature there are a number of plants existing with innate mechanisms for removing heavy metals from soil, air and water as a survival strategy. Among several subsets of phytoremediation, the widely studied strategies are (a) phytoextraction (b) phytofiltration (c) phytovolatilization and (d) phytostabilization. Application of organic / inorganic chelants in soil directly affects the solubility of heavy metals and consequently increases their accumulation in plants that enhances phytoextraction. In the present review current knowledge about the phytoremediation and its techniques are discussed.