Phytoremediation: An innovative perspective for reclaiming contaminated environment using ornamental plants

The current state of our planet earth is not good and is deteriorating day by day. It is the after effect of centuries of ill treatment of earth and the natural resources. Due to continuous pollution by various natural as well as manmade activities, recovery of the earth is not possible. Amongst all, the heavy metal is the most salient category of contaminant found in our environment which seems very difficult to curb. Many steps and technologies have been developed by the researchers across the world to solve the problem of heavy metal contamination. Recognizing their toxicity, it has been found that heavy metals possess threat to the whole ecosystem. Thus, phytoremediation has emerged as the ecological and economic technique for withdrawing and removing heavy metals from the soil. This paper outlines the details of phytoremediation, the various processes involved in it, and about the potential ornamentals used for the remediation purpose.