Anthropogenic activities are resulting in an increase of the use andextraction of heavy metals. Heavy metals cannot be degraded and henceaccumulate in the environment, having the potential to contaminate the foodchain. This pollution threatens soil quality, plant survival and humanhealth. The remediation of heavy metals deserves attention, but it isimpaired by the cost of these processes. Phytoremediation and biochar aretwo sound environmental technologies which could be at the forefront tomitigate soil pollution. This review provides an overview of the state ofthe art of the scientific research on phytoremediation and biocharapplication to remediate heavy-metal-contaminated soils. Research to datehas attempted only in a limited number of occasions to combine bothtechniques, however we discuss the potential advantages of combining both,and the potential mechanisms involved in the interaction betweenphytoremediators and biochar. We identified specific research needs toensure a sustainable use of phytoremediation and biochar as remediationtools.
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