The selection of appropriate plant species is a cornerstone of successful application of phytoremediation methods and probably one of the most important factors affecting the extent of metal removal from contaminated soils. As a general rule, native plant species are preferred to exotic plants that can affect the harmony of the ecosystem [1]. The optimum metal phytoextraction plants should be able to accumulate and tolerate rather large amounts of toxic metals. Combined with a rapid growth rate and the potential to produce large biomass in the field, this can help to remove more metals per planting. Thus, the main goal is to find species able to accumulate large amounts of metals in harvestable plant parts without harmful consequences for the plants.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationTrace Elements in the Environment
Subtitle of host publicationBiogeochemistry, Biotechnology, and Bioremediation
PublisherTaylor & Francis
Pages549-581
Number of pages33
ISBN (Electronic)9781420032048
ISBN (Print)9781566706858
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2005

    Scopus subject areas

  • Engineering(all)
  • Environmental Science(all)

ID: 39848150