Phytostabilization and rhizofiltration of toxic heavy metals by heavy metal accumulator plants for sustainable management of contaminated industrial sites: A comprehensive review

The urban environment is a source and a carrier of heavy metals due to industrial waste. The establishment of industries and the emission of contaminants are not real problems; the big issue is the mixing of contaminants in a healthy environment. There is an urgent need to adopt the best approach to restricting contaminants at the introductory level of discharge and keeping the contaminants apart from the healthy environment. As a consequence, phytostabilization and rhizofiltration are the most specifically used and successful plant-based methods for eliminating toxins from industrial polluted regions with low impact on water bodies or soil structure. It also has the advantages of not producing secondary waste that must be treated and of stabilizing soil qualities as compared to other conventional treating methods. The comprehensive study helps us establish a suitable selection of technique for a particular metal-bearing effluent based on time consumption and efficiency, as well as identify plants typically employed for phytostabilization and rhizofiltration. This paper aims to compile important information about phytostabilization and rhizofiltration in relation to heavy metals stabilization. It also described the phytoremedial action plan, the remedy selection decision tree, and the soil/sediment decision tree. Additionally, it reveals the major criteria for plant selection, and their mechanism of stabilization Furthermore, this paper also recommends that the future studies should focus on finding more species that absorb As and Hg and designing a diverse range of plants that are useful for multielement absorption.