Metal Hyperaccumulation in Plants: A Review Focusing on Phytoremediation Technology


	Journal of Environmental Science and Technology
	Year: 2011 \| Volume: 4 \| Issue: 2 \| Page No.: 118-138 DOI: 10.3923/jest.2011.118.138

Metal Hyperaccumulation in Plants: A Review Focusing on Phytoremediation Technology

Hemen Sarma

Abstract: Metal hyperaccumulation is a characteristic present in over 500 plant species and approximately in 0.2% of all angiosperms. Hyperaccumulators are model plants for phytoremediation as they are tolerant to heavy metals. Metals hyperaccumulation and tolerance are genetically inherited traits. Plants possess a range of potential cellular mechanisms that may be involved in the detoxification of heavy metals and thus tolerance to metal stress. Recent discovery have given first insights into the molecular basis of metal hyperaccumulation and metal hypertolerance in some plants. However, the ecological and biological significance of hyperaccumulation is not clear yet. The recent progress of molecular techniques has helped to improve the performance of phytoremediation technology as well as plant adaptation to extreme metallic environments. The knowledge of metal hyperaccumulation physiology has recently developed as a result of the advancement of molecular biology. Molecular technique help to understand the gene regulations system and plant metal homeostasis. This study reviews the recent advances of phytoremediation technology using hyperaccumulator plants addressing both potential and limitations, physiological and molecular aspects and provides a broad overview of most important genes which have been correlated to metals hyperaccumulation and tolerance, evidence of the effect of heavy metal on biomass productions, plant biochemical, antioxidant defence system and discusses the prospects of transgenic plants in phytoremediation of heavy metals.

PDF Fulltext XML References Citation Report Citation

RELATED ARTICLES:

•	Effect of Chemical Fertilizer on Cadmium Uptake by Sugarcane Grown in Contaminated Soil

•	Contamination of Surface Sediments by Heavy Metals in Ebrié Lagoon (Abidjan, Ivory Coast)

•	Assessment of Waters Contamination by Nutrients and Heavy Metals in the Ebrie Lagoon (Abidjan, Ivory Coast)

•	Impact of Vegetations in Urban Green Spaces for Automobile-discharged Particles Removal

How to cite this article:

Hemen Sarma , 2011. Metal Hyperaccumulation in Plants: A Review Focusing on Phytoremediation Technology. Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 4: 118-138.

DOI: 10.3923/jest.2011.118.138

URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=jest.2011.118.138

COMMENT ON THIS PAPER

Navigation


		Online First
		Current Issue
		Previous Issues
		Editorial Board
		Submit a Manuscript
		Guide to Authors
		Subscribe to E-alerts

Indexed In


		ASCI-Database
		Asian Digital Library
		Google Scholar
		SCIMAGO

Follow @scialert

Science Alert