Phytotechnologies. Remediation of environmental contaminants

摘要

This book contains five sections and 28 chapters and covers the state of the art of phytotechnologies for the remediation of heavy metals, metalloids, radioactive materials and organic contaminants from soil and water. The potential of a variety of plants such as Brassica sp and vetiver grass, which have been used for remediation of chlorinated solvents, metals, explosives, and propellants, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, radionuclides and petroleum hydrocarbons, is presented in great detail. Several strategies to enhance the contaminants' remediation such as biotic and abiotic soil enhancement, chelates, organic acids, plant-microbe interaction, plant growth regulators, endophytes and genetically modified plants have been developed in different book chapters. Plant tolerance to toxic elements and the detoxification mechanisms have been addressed. Finally, the uptake and metabolism of Pharmaceuticals and other emerging contaminants by plants has also been presented. Accordingly, this book is a common platform for engineers, environmental biologists, plant physiologists and molecular biologists with the common aim of sustainable solutions to vital environmental issues.