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Results for “phytoremediation”

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PubMed2026

From ecological threats to environmental solutions: a critical review of invasive plant species for heavy metal phytoremediation.

Heavy metal contamination represents a persistent environmental challenge threatening ecosystem stability, agricultural productivity, and human health. Therefore, the development of sustainable and cost-effective remediation strategies is essential. Phytoremediation, an environmentally compatible approach that utilizes plants and their associated biological processes to reduce contaminant mobility, bioavailability, and toxicity, has gained increasing attention as an alternative to conventional remediation techniques. Among potential phytoremediation candidates, invasive plant species (IPS) have attracted interest due to their rapid growth, high biomass production, extensive root systems, physiological plasticity, and tolerance to stressful environments, including heavy metal contamination. Species such as Alternanthera philoxeroides, Arundo donax, Eichhornia crassipes, and Pistia stratiotes have demonstrated potential for metal uptake, accumulation, immobilization, or tolerance in contaminated ecosystems. This review critically examines the role of invasive plants in heavy metal phytoremediation by evaluating the physiological, biochemical, and ecological traits that influence remediation outcomes. Key mechanisms, including phytoextraction, phytostabilization, rhizosphere-mediated processes, and plant-microbe interactions, are discussed using evidence from contaminated soil and aquatic environments. The potential advantages of invasive plants, particularly their high biomass production and environmental adaptability, are evaluated alongside ecological concerns associated with their utilization. Importantly, invasion success does not necessarily translate into remediation success, and the effectiveness of invasive plants depends on contaminant characteristics, ecosystem conditions, and management practices. Major challenges, including uncontrolled spread, ecosystem disruption, contaminated biomass management, and limited field-scale validation, are critically assessed. Overall, invasive plants represent context-dependent remediation resources rather than universal solutions. Their application requires integrated risk assessment, containment strategies, long-term monitoring, and evidence-based management frameworks to maximize remediation benefits while minimizing ecological risks.

Contamination↗

PubMed2026

Heavy metal stress in native plant species: investigating phytoremediation potential through physiological and ISSR/SCoT molecular assessments.

In emerging countries, increased industrial activity has a significant impact on economic growth and urban development. However, the acceleration of industrial processes is accompanied by the release of contaminants such as heavy metals. According to the World Health Organization, one-fourth of all human diseases are caused by environmental contaminants, including heavy metals, which can impair numerous organs such as the neurological system, liver, and reproductive systems. This increased efforts to find effective and sustainable methods to remove heavy metals. Phytoremediation is an environmentally benign method of removing heavy metals using specific plants. Thus, from industrially contaminated locations, common native plant species of Lactuca serriola, Sisymbrium irio, Chenopodium murale, and Cynanchum acutum were selected for this study to assess the mechanisms of their molecular and physiological tolerance. Soil and plants were tested for heavy metals (Cd, Pb, and Cu), and contaminated locations were classified as low and highly polluted. Measurements were made of soluble sugar, protein, secondary metabolites, malondialdehyde, and H2O2. Additionally, inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR), start codon targeted (SCoT), and genomic template stability GTS were used. In heavily polluted areas, all plant species exhibit elevated amounts of sugar, proteins, H2O2, MDA, and secondary metabolites, while total phenolics showed a unique significant interaction (plant-location), where Cynanchum exhibited a hyper-stress phenolic accumulation to cope with toxicity, whereas Chenopodium maintained genomic stability with balanced phenolic level. Based on these findings, both Cynanchum acutum and Chenopodium murale demonstrate superior potential for phytoremediation and warrant further investigation for ecological restoration.

Heavy metal↗

PubMed2026

Lead (Pb) accumulation and genotoxic responses in Ludwigia repens J.R. Forst.: a physiological and molecular approach.

In this study, the potential genotoxic effects and phytoremediation capacity of Ludwigia repens J.R. Forst. were evaluated under lead (Pb) stress in contaminated aquatic environments. To achieve this, clonal L. repens plants were used to investigate their ability to remove Pb from freshwater systems and the experimental setup was established in controlled aquarium conditions. The plants were exposed to 0, 10, 25, 50 and 100 micromolar (μM) concentrations of Pb(NO3)2 in a 0.2% Hoagland nutrient solution for a period of ten days. Experimental results showed that Pb accumulated in both stems and leaves of L. repens. Although Pb levels did not meet hyperaccumulator criteria, the bioaccumulation index (BAI), bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) values revealed that the plant was capable of accumulating noteworthy amounts of Pb. In parallel, band profile analysis revealed new band appearances only with the UBC 812 primer, while no band loss or new band formation was detected with the other primers (UBC 808, UBC 826, UBC 833 and UBC 834). Instead, only changes in band intensities were observed, indicating a low polymorphism rate and a high level of genomic template stability (GTS). The findings also indicate that L. repens exhibits notable tolerance to Pb stress, as supported by high BAI, BCF and TF values in the absence of visible phytotoxic symptoms. Additionally, the consistent and progressive decline in mineral nutrient levels across Pb treatments, together with the moderate decline in total chlorophyll content, further supports the existence of a coordinated physiological adjustment, potentially reflecting a tolerance mechanism aimed at maintaining ionic balance under heavy metal stress. Moreover, low polymorphism rates and high genomic template stability (GTS) values derived from molecular analyses suggest that this species may serve as a genetically stable and physiologically resilient aquatic plant. These combined traits highlight its potential to contribute effectively to phytoremediation applications, particularly when co-cultivated with established Pb hyperaccumulator species.

Lead↗

PubMed2025

The Tartary Buckwheat FtMYB46-FtNRAMP3 Module Enhances Plant Lead and Cadmium Tolerance.

The presence of toxic heavy metals lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in polluted soil damage crop production and consequently harms human and livestock health. Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) is a potential model plant for heavy metal phytoremediation because of its valuable characteristics of high heavy metal tolerance and abundant biomass production. Here, we report that the Tartary buckwheat FtMYB46-FtNRAMP3 module enhances plant Pb and Cd tolerance. RNA sequencing analysis showed that Pb treatment specifically induced expression of FtNRAMP3, a member of the NRAMP (Natural Resistance-Associated Macrophage Protein) transporter gene family. Further cytological and biochemical analysis revealed that FtNRAMP3 was localised to the plasma membrane and significantly contributed to increased tolerance to Pb and Cd in yeast cells. Consistently, transgenic overexpression of FtNRAMP3 in Arabidopsis significantly increased plant tolerance to Pb and Cd applications, reducing Pb concentration but increasing Cd concentration in the overexpression transgenic plants. Subsequent yeast one-hybrid and electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that the transcription factor FtMYB46 directly binds to the FtNRAMP3 promoter. Further, FtMYB46 promoted FtNRAMP3 expression and increased plant Pb and Cd tolerance. Overall, this study demonstrates the important role of the FtMYB46-FtNRAMP3 module and its potential value in the phytoremediation of Pb and Cd stress.

Cadmium↗

PubMed2026

Ecotoxicological responses of aquatic macrophytes to 2,4-D: A global synthesis of species sensitivity and ecological risk.

The widespread use of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) has raised concern about its persistence, mobility, and effects on non-target aquatic vegetation in freshwater ecosystems. Here, we provide a global synthesis of the ecotoxicological responses of aquatic macrophytes to 2,4-D based on a PRISMA-guided systematic review of 86 peer-reviewed studies published between 1947 and 2025. A consistent gradient of species-specific sensitivity was observed across macrophyte growth forms. The submerged species Myriophyllum spicatum showed high susceptibility, with EC₅₀ values of 0.04-0.182 mg/L and marked growth inhibition at low concentrations, whereas floating species such as Lemna minor and Pontederia crassipes were more tolerant, requiring higher concentrations (7.08 to >100 and 8.1 mg/L, respectively) to produce comparable effects. Importantly, this sensitivity ranking was consistent across laboratory and field experimental settings. These interspecific differences likely reflect variation in herbicide uptake, translocation, and detoxification capacity associated with growth form. The overlap between EC₅₀ values for M. spicatum and regulatory thresholds for 2,4-D in surface waters suggests that current limits may be insufficient to protect sensitive submerged macrophyte communities. Regarding remediation, L. minor and Salvinia natans emerged as the most promising candidates for phytoremediation, while P. crassipes showed limited capacity to reduce herbicide concentrations in water. Despite advances, no study directly compared oxidative stress biomarkers between submerged and floating species, representing a critical gap in understanding the biochemical basis of the sensitivity gradient. Overall, this synthesis highlights the need to account for taxon-dependent sensitivity when evaluating the ecological risks of 2,4-D and provides a basis for improving regulatory frameworks and management of herbicide contamination in freshwater ecosystems.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗

PubMed2026

Bioremediation potential of lead and cadmium tolerant bacteria isolated from industrial (tannery) effluents.

Heavy metal pollution from tannery industries presents significant environmental and public health concerns due to the toxicity and persistence of metals such as Pb2+ and Cd2+. This study aimed to isolate and characterize indigenous Pb2+ and Cd2+-tolerant bacteria from tannery effluents and contaminated soils of highly polluted areas in Dhaka for potential bioremediation applications. A total of 72 Pb2+-tolerant and 52 Cd2+-tolerant bacterial isolates were obtained using metal-supplemented LB agar. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) recorded were 4000 ppm for Pb2+ and 250 ppm for Cd2+. Quantitative analysis demonstrated removal efficiencies of 93.91% for Pb2+ and 89.66% for Cd2+. All isolates exhibited plant growth-promoting traits, including phosphate solubilization, ammonia production, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, and cellulase activity. Most isolates were antibiotic-sensitive, though some showed multidrug resistance, emphasizing the need for biosafety evaluation. The most promising isolates were partially identified as Enterobacter spp. and K. pneumoniae. Protein expression profiling by SDS-PAGE revealed metal-responsive proteins ranging from 25 to 75 kDa under selective Pb2+ and Cd2+ stress. Genomic and proteomic analyses further indicated the involvement of efflux pump-associated genes in metal resistance, where cusR was identified as a common resistance gene among the dominant strains. Overall, these findings suggest that the indigenous K. pneumoniae possesses strong potential for Pb2+ and Cd2+ removal, along with plant growth-promoting capabilities, making them promising candidate for bioremediation and phytoremediation strategies.

Antibiogram↗

PubMed2026

The transcription factor SbWRKY6 confers cadmium tolerance via activating SbPLAC8-17 expression in sorghum.

Cadmium (Cd) is a widespread environmental pollutant that severely threatens crop productivity and food safety. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying Cd detoxification and tolerance in sorghum remain largely elusive. Herein, we functionally characterized SbWRKY6, a Cd‑induced WRKY transcription factor that localizes to the nucleus and functions as a transcriptional activator. Stable overexpression of SbWRKY6 significantly enhanced Cd tolerance in sorghum, as evidenced by improved growth performance, mitigated oxidative damage, and decreased Cd concentration in plant tissues, whereas silencing of SbWRKY6 resulted in a Cd-hypersensitive phenotype with exacerbated toxicity symptoms. Mechanistically, we identified SbPLAC8-17, a member of the Plant Cadmium Resistance (PCR)/PLAC8 family, as a critical downstream target of SbWRKY6. Heterologous expression of SbPLAC8-17 functionally complemented the Cd‑sensitive phenotype of the yeast mutant ∆ycf1 and reduced intracellular Cd accumulation. Further yeast one-hybrid (Y1H), electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), and dual-luciferase reporter (Dual-LUC) assays confirmed that SbWRKY6 directly binds to the SbPLAC8-17 promoter and transcriptionally activates its expression. In vivo silencing of SbPLAC8-17 significantly impaired cellular Cd²⁺ efflux and aggravated Cd toxicity in sorghum. Additionally, the rapid Cd-induced transcriptional upregulation of SbMPK3 and its direct physical interaction with SbWRKY6 suggest a potential upstream regulatory module that remains to be functionally validated. Collectively, this study elucidates a novel SbWRKY6‑SbPLAC8-17 transcriptional cascade that positively regulates Cd tolerance by facilitating Cd²⁺ efflux, providing promising genetic targets for phytoremediation and molecular breeding of safe sorghum cultivars for Cd-contaminated fields.

Sorghum↗