Green Remediation Harnessing Plant-Based Strategies for Removal of Emerging Soil Contaminants

Introduction

Over recent years, a pronounced upward trend in remediation technologies has emerged due to increasingly high pollution levels (Hou et al., 2020). Many areas worldwide are affected by hazardous pollutants, which present significant threats to ecological systems and all levels of the food web. Heavy metal pollution is especially concerning due to its enduring, non-biodegradable characteristics, highlighting the urgent need for active interventions to lessen its accumulated effects on the environment and living organisms (DalCorso et al., 2008; Farajzadeh Memari-Tabrizi et al., 2021; Marcon et al., 2021). Although heavy metals are naturally present in soil due to natural occurrences such as rock breakdown, erosion, and volcanic actions, human activities have drastically increased their concentrations, even exceeding pre-existing levels. The proliferation of heavy metals in our environment is primarily ascribed to intensive mining, the expansion of industry, and the use of agricultural chemicals, all contributing to widespread pollution and land deterioration (Ghazaryan et al., 2014). Reviews of scientific literature reveal significant contamination of the land, water sources, and the atmosphere with heavy metals, primarily from human-derived sources, signalling an urgent need for remediation (DalCorso et al., 2008; Farajzadeh Memari-Tabrizi et al., 2021; Marcon et al., 2021). Investigations dating back two decades have analyzed the spread, sources, and ecological and toxicological dangers posed by various pollutants in marine bottom layers, the earth's soil, and industrial water (Raj et al., 2014). Wastewater has been identified to hold about 121 different unregulated organic elements, and at least 25 remain even after treatment. In contrast to these degradable organic substances, heavy metals do not break down easily and thus continue to accumulate over time, culminating in enduring food chain contamination.