Plants Involved in Phytoremediation

Contaminants derived from anthropogenic activities can adversely affect wildlife and
impact human health. Even low levels of contaminants in the environment pose a
risk due to potential accumulation at higher trophic levels, a process called bio-
magnification. Organic contaminants are usually xenobiotic to plants, but inorganic
contaminants such as metals are commonly found in low concentration in the soil.
Metals such as cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), manganese
(Mn) and zinc (Zn) are critical for plant growth, and are classified as essential
micronutrients. Other metals that are commonly found as contaminants, and are
non-essential for plants, include arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr),
mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), selenium (Se). Metals can have toxic effects on
plants, even at low concentrations.

1 Phytoremediation
Phytoremediation basically refers to the use of plants and associated soil microbes
to reduce the concentrations or toxic effects of contaminants in the environment.
Phytoremediation is widely accepted as a cost-effective environmental restoration
technology. It is an alternative to engineering procedures that are usually more
destructive to the soil. There are several types of phytoremediation processes

Action on Main Type of

Technology Vegetation
Contaminants Contaminants
Cover
Phytostabilization Retained in situ Organics and metals
maintained
Cover
Phytodegradation Attenuated in situ Organics
maintained
Cover
Phytovolatilization Removed Organics and metals
maintained
Harvested
Phytoextraction Removed Metals
repeatedly
Table 1: Comparison between Phytoremediation Technologies

The above mentioned phytoremediation technologies can be diagrammatically

represented as follows
 Figure 1: (A) Schematic model of different phytoremediation technologies involving removal
and containment. Figure 1: (B) Physiological processes that take place in plants during
phytoremediation

2 Plants Involved in Phytoremediation Process

2.1 Hedera helix

It is an evergreen perennial climbing vine that attaches to bark of trees, brickwork
and other surfaces by root-like structures that exude a glue-like substance to aid in
adherence.

Common name: English ivy

Origin: English ivy is found throughout the eastern U.S. and in the West where it
occurs from Arizona to Washington State. It flourishes under shady to full sun
conditions in soils that are moderately fertile and moist but it is intolerant of drought
and salinity.

Toxins that can be taken up: Benzene, Carbon Monoxide, Formaldehyde, Petroleum,
Toluene, Xylene

Accumulation Quantity: Hyper-accumulator, Tolerant

Accumulation Type: Phyto-extraction (the plant takes up the toxin through the roots
and stores in the tissue.)
 Figure 2: Hedera helix

2.2 Hyrdilla verticillata

Hydrilla is a submersed perennial herb. The plant is rooted in the bed of the water
body and has long stems (up to 25 feet in length) that branch at the surface where
growth becomes horizontal and forms dense mats.

Common name: Water Thyme

Origin: The dioecious form of Hydrilla is believed to originate from the Indian
subcontinent, specifically the island of Sri Lanka, although random DNA analysis
also indicates India's southern mainland as a possible source location.

Toxins that can be taken up: Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Mercury, Arsenic

Accumulation Quantity: Accumulator of metals

Accumulation Type: phytoextraction (absorbs the contaminant in shoots),

rhizofiltration (filters and stops the contaminant in root zone)

Figure 3: Hyrdilla verticillata

2.3 Ambrosia artemisiifolia
It is an annual broadleaved weed and a member of the daisy or composite family. It
grows from 0.3 to 1 m tall. The stems are hairy and erect with several branches. It
has a shallow, fibrous root system and reproduces by seed.

Common name: Common ragweed

Origin: Ambrosia artemisiifolia is native to North America, but a widespread and

generally invasive weed in much of Australia, South America and Eurasia.

Toxins that can be taken up: Lead from the soil, cadmium can be extracted and
remediated from the soil.

Accumulation Quality: Accumulator of lead and cadmium

Accumulation type: phytoextraction

Figure 4: Ambrosia artemisiifolia

2.4 Eichhornia crassipes

It is a floating plant with broad, thick, and glossy leaves. The plant is very variable in
size, seedlings having leaves that are only a few centimetres across or high,
whereas mature plants with good nutrient supply may reach 1 m in height.

Common name: water hyacinth

Origin: E. crassipes originated in tropical South America, but is now naturalized in

Africa, Australia, India and many other countries.

Toxins that can be taken up: water hyacinth can easily take up Ag, Pb, Cd and Zn
from water.
Accumulation quality: it is an accumulator in municipal and agricultural wastewater.

Accumulation type: phytoaccumulator

Figure 5: Eichhornia crassipes

2.5 Helianthus annuus

A tall, coarse leafy plant with a hairy stem commonly branched in the upper half and
bearing several or many flower heads, the central maroon disk surrounded by many
bright yellow rays. Yellow ray flowers surround brown disk flowers.

Common name: Sunflower

Toxins that can be taken up: Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Lead,
Manganese, Nickel, Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB), Zinc can be taken up by
sunflower

Accumulation Quantity: Hyperaccumulator of the above mentioned toxins

Accumulation Type: Phytoextraction, Rhizofiltration. High amount of the total

absorbed Cd is accumulated in roots, while a high amount of the total absorbed Pb is
tranlocated to shoots of sunflower seedlings.

Origin: Common sunflower is native to the south-west of the USA, around the New
Mexico area.
 Figure 6:Helianthus annuus

3 Conclusion
It can be seen that plants are greatly involved in the removal of contaminants from
the soil and water. These are just a few examples from a huge list of plants that play
a role in phytoremediation and there are many more out there which are doing
similar processes but very little research has been done on them. Hence this quality
of plants should be well utilized as it not only adds to the aesthetic beauty of an area
but helps in improving the quality of the environment.

4 References
 http://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/phytoremediation-17359669
 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
51742333_Arsenic_Accumulation_and_Translocation_in_the_Submerged_M
acrophyte_Hydrilla_verticillata_Lf_Royle
 http://www.steviefamulari.net/phytoremediation/scientificSearch.php?
plant_letter=H
 http://www.nyis.info/?action=invasive_detail&id=16
 https://www.nps.gov/Plants/alien/pubs/midatlantic/hehe.htm
 http://www.yourhealthremedy.com/health-tips/7-plants-used-
phytoremediation-can-clean/
 https://www.google.com.pk/url?
sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=20&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEw
j68Lv295DQAhVDVRQKHcMCAcIQFgh7MBM&url=http%3A%2F
%2Frydberg.biology.colostate.edu%2FPhytoremediation%2F2010%2FPhyto
%2520Project%2520Rashad%2520R.%2520and%2520Kenong
%2520Z..pptx&usg=AFQjCNGNZembwkVprhjEt8KCgvC_Kl1l4g&sig2=_RYQ
kKdw_sQbvIMzOvUMCg&bvm=bv.137904068,d.d24
 http://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheetreport?dsid=4691
 http://www.kew.org/science-conservation/plants-fungi/helianthus-annuus-
sunflower
 http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=HEAN3