invested in various costly remediation technologies. Contaminant like metals present
even in low level can be removed from the site and accumulated in plants and further
recovered by recycling from the biomass before its disposal.
3.2.2.2 Phytotransformation or Phytodegradation
It is the process in which highly toxic organic contaminants from a polluted site like
water body or soil can be taken up and transformed to less toxic forms via plant
system.
3.2.2.3 Phytostabilization
This process is the reduction of mobility of a contaminant and its migration into the
ground level. Pollution-causing substances are leached out and absorbed to the
surface of plant roots making it stable and avoiding its reentrance into the
environment.
3.2.2.4 Rhizodegradation
A mutual relationship between plant root and microorganisms like bacteria and fungi
residing in rhizosphere makes an environment where contaminants are broken down
through the metabolic activity and secretion of enzymes and proteins from the root
system of plant.
Table 17.2 An overview of different phytoremediation strategies for environmental
decontamination
Phytoremediation
techniques
Mechanism
Surface medium
Phytoextraction
Uptake and concentration of metal via
direct uptake into the plant tissue with
subsequent removal of the plants
Contaminated soils and
wastewaters
Phytotransformation Plant uptake and degradation of organic
compounds
Surface water and
groundwater
Phytostabilization
Root exudates cause metal to precipitate
and become less available
Contaminated soils, groundwater, mine tailing waste
Rhizodegradation
Enhances pollutant degradation in
rhizosphere
Remediation of contaminated
soils and groundwater within
rhizosphere
Rhizofiltration
Uptake of metals into plant roots
Surface water
Phytovolatilization
Plants evaportranspirate metals such as
selenium, mercury, and volatile
hydrocarbons
Contaminated soils and
groundwater
Adapted from Vidali (2001)
17 Plant-Microbe Interactions for Bioremediation and Phytoremediation of. . .
425
even in low level can be removed from the site and accumulated in plants and further
recovered by recycling from the biomass before its disposal.
3.2.2.2 Phytotransformation or Phytodegradation
It is the process in which highly toxic organic contaminants from a polluted site like
water body or soil can be taken up and transformed to less toxic forms via plant
system.
3.2.2.3 Phytostabilization
This process is the reduction of mobility of a contaminant and its migration into the
ground level. Pollution-causing substances are leached out and absorbed to the
surface of plant roots making it stable and avoiding its reentrance into the
environment.
3.2.2.4 Rhizodegradation
A mutual relationship between plant root and microorganisms like bacteria and fungi
residing in rhizosphere makes an environment where contaminants are broken down
through the metabolic activity and secretion of enzymes and proteins from the root
system of plant.
Table 17.2 An overview of different phytoremediation strategies for environmental
decontamination
Phytoremediation
techniques
Mechanism
Surface medium
Phytoextraction
Uptake and concentration of metal via
direct uptake into the plant tissue with
subsequent removal of the plants
Contaminated soils and
wastewaters
Phytotransformation Plant uptake and degradation of organic
compounds
Surface water and
groundwater
Phytostabilization
Root exudates cause metal to precipitate
and become less available
Contaminated soils, groundwater, mine tailing waste
Rhizodegradation
Enhances pollutant degradation in
rhizosphere
Remediation of contaminated
soils and groundwater within
rhizosphere
Rhizofiltration
Uptake of metals into plant roots
Surface water
Phytovolatilization
Plants evaportranspirate metals such as
selenium, mercury, and volatile
hydrocarbons
Contaminated soils and
groundwater
Adapted from Vidali (2001)
17 Plant-Microbe Interactions for Bioremediation and Phytoremediation of. . .
425