2 Phytoremediation
2.1 Definition
The phytoremediation term was coined in 1991. It is a combination of a Greek word
consist of ‘Phyto’ meaning plants and the Latin word ‘Remedium’ meaning to
remove the evil. The primary facts about phytoremediation were derived from a
diversity of researches that includes oil spill management and accumulation of heavy
metals by plants (EPA 2000). There are many definitions given by scientists about
phytoremediation. Taking all into account, phytoremediation can be defined as a
debouching technology where the plants were used to remove the hazardous contaminant from the polluted environment. Thus this process will be useful in the
development of the quality of the surroundings (Tangahu et al. 2011). US Environmental protection agency 2000, states that phytoremediation is a cost-effective and
new-fangled technology that can be used as an effective alternative over other
technologies.
2.2 Methods of Phytoremediation
The mechanism of the plant in the removal of contaminants such as heavy metals is
diverse. In the remediation of soil and water plants use six main mechanisms to make
the environment clean. (Ali et al. 2013; Dixit et al. 2015).
The six main mechanisms are as follows: (Fig. 16.1)
• Phytoextraction
• Phytofiltration
• Phytostabilization
• Phytodegradation
• Phytovolatilization
• Rhizodegradation
2.2.1 Phytoextraction
The phytoextraction is the process by which the plant absorbs the contaminants from
soil or water through the roots and transfers to shoot and get stored for gaining
energy and nutrients (Erakhrumen and Agbontalor 2007; Erdei et al. 2005).
2.2.2 Phytofilteration
The Phytofilteration is defined as the process by which the plant is capable of
sequestering or filtering the contaminants from water. (Sumiahadi and Acar 2018).
16 Bioremediation of Heavy Metals Using Salvina Molesta – A Freshwater. . .
339
2.1 Definition
The phytoremediation term was coined in 1991. It is a combination of a Greek word
consist of ‘Phyto’ meaning plants and the Latin word ‘Remedium’ meaning to
remove the evil. The primary facts about phytoremediation were derived from a
diversity of researches that includes oil spill management and accumulation of heavy
metals by plants (EPA 2000). There are many definitions given by scientists about
phytoremediation. Taking all into account, phytoremediation can be defined as a
debouching technology where the plants were used to remove the hazardous contaminant from the polluted environment. Thus this process will be useful in the
development of the quality of the surroundings (Tangahu et al. 2011). US Environmental protection agency 2000, states that phytoremediation is a cost-effective and
new-fangled technology that can be used as an effective alternative over other
technologies.
2.2 Methods of Phytoremediation
The mechanism of the plant in the removal of contaminants such as heavy metals is
diverse. In the remediation of soil and water plants use six main mechanisms to make
the environment clean. (Ali et al. 2013; Dixit et al. 2015).
The six main mechanisms are as follows: (Fig. 16.1)
• Phytoextraction
• Phytofiltration
• Phytostabilization
• Phytodegradation
• Phytovolatilization
• Rhizodegradation
2.2.1 Phytoextraction
The phytoextraction is the process by which the plant absorbs the contaminants from
soil or water through the roots and transfers to shoot and get stored for gaining
energy and nutrients (Erakhrumen and Agbontalor 2007; Erdei et al. 2005).
2.2.2 Phytofilteration
The Phytofilteration is defined as the process by which the plant is capable of
sequestering or filtering the contaminants from water. (Sumiahadi and Acar 2018).
16 Bioremediation of Heavy Metals Using Salvina Molesta – A Freshwater. . .
339