Abstract

Presence of heavy metals and other pollutants in the aquatic systems has become a serious problem in many developing countries for environmental scientists and also for agencies engaged in environmental production. In this regard, there has been a great deal of attention given to new technologies for removal of heavy metals from contaminated water because conventional technologies to provide safe and clean water to living beings are not so far implemented. In this manner, the use of plants to remove heavy metals and other pollutants known as “phytoremediation” from the water is relatively cheaper as compared to other expensive engineering operations as plants remove pollutants from water and render them harmless. Five main subgroups of phytoremediation have been identified by the environmental scientists as “Phytoextraction, Phytodegradation, Rhizofiltration, Phytostabilisation and Phytovolatilisation”. The identification and selection of plants that are suitable for successful remediation of water pollution is a matter of great concern. It is recommended that plants that have long and extensive root system should be planted at sites which are polluted due to industrial and sewage water.

Key words: Water pollution, heavy metals, phytoremediation.