Phytoremediation of Lead Present in Environment: A Review

Lead (Pb)Lead (Pb) is a heavy metalMetal used in various industrial processes, so its levels are considerably increased in the soil, sediments, surface water, and groundwater. Pb is a non-biodegradable and persistent environmental pollutant that causes toxicityToxicity in humans, plants, animals, and microorganisms. PhytoremediationPhytoremediation is a clean, eco-friendly, and cost-effective technology to remove Pb from aquatic and terrestrial environmentsEnvironment. This technology uses plantsPlants to remove, immobilize, and contain Pb through phytoextractionPhytoextraction, phytostabilizationPhytostabilization, and rhizofiltrationRhizofiltration. This chapter describes the characteristics of plants used in phytoremediationPhytoremediation, focusing on the mechanisms employed by the plantsPlants to assist in the removal or immobilization of Pb. Moreover, it shows the state of the art on phytoremediationPhytoremediation assisted by microorganisms for enhancing phytoremediationPhytoremediation of Pb-polluted soils.