J. Ecobiol.18 (1) 33-38 (2006)
Recieved 5-1-2004; revised 1-3-04; accepted 10-3-04
Online Edition: http://www.clu-in.org/products/citguide/phyto2.htm

ISSN: 0970-9037-06-18-33

Heavy metal contamination of soil and water due to agricultural and industrial activities is a matter of serious concern, which ultimately reaches humans in the food chain. The sources of these heavy metals can be from both point and non-point sources. The heavy metals when discharged into aquatic ecosystems are easily assimilated by planktonic organisms at the base of the aquatic food chain. Through the process of biomagnification, minute concentrations of heavy metals are passed up in the food chain, increasing to levels that pose a serious threat to higher order organisms. The conventional treatment systems have many disadvantages like high cost, incomplete metal removal, etc. In this context, phytoremediation is being increasingly adopted wherein certain plants are used to adsorb or degrade the pollutants. These plant are found in the Brassicaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Asteraceae, Lamiaceae and Scrophulariaceae familes.

Key words: Phytoremediation, Processes, Mechanisms.