Sustainable Solution of Cadmium Toxicity: Phytoremediation

Abstract

Cadmium, a malleable heavy metal found in zinc ore, can pollute the groundwater and soil by various natural as well as anthropogenic means and enter different trophic levels. Several physical separation and chemical methods have been used to reduce cadmium contamination and to maintain biosafety. These methods are slow, cost- and time-intensive, and also generate toxic by-products. Phytoremediation has emerged as a sustainable and inexpensive mode to eliminate heavy metals via diverse mechanisms such as phytoextraction, phytostabilization, rhizofiltration, and phytovolatilization. Several reports are available for the pollutants’ exclusion from contaminated resources using plants such as Ceratophyllum demersum, Phragmites australis, Hydrangea macrophylla, and Iris pseudacorus, etc. The approach is promising in removing a huge amount of pollutants and retaining it for a longer period. However, it also suffers from issues such as post-treatment valorization of biomass and a slow operation process. Overall, the phytoremediation approach can be considered as safer and sustainable process to eliminate the heavy metals such as cadmium not only at lab scale but also at industry or commercial scale, which is clear with pilot-scale trials. Integration of artificial intelligence/machine learning and nano-phytoremediation approaches further improves the efficiency. The purpose of this article is to summarize the recent advancements in phytoremediation for cadmium removal, application of plants, and integration of nanomaterials and AI–ML models in commercialization of the treatment process.