Microbe-assisted phytoremediation of environmental contaminants

Nowadays, the concern of environmental contamination has increased due to the high production demand of rapid population growth, which prompts the generation of plenty of waste and environmental contaminants. The toxic heavy metals, greenhouse gases, oil spillages, nonbiodegradable materials, unutilized fertilizers, pesticides, and other hazardous materials are the main source of environmental contamination. Endocrine disruptors (EDs), pharmaceuticals, pesticides, hormones, toxins, and industrial wastewaters also contribute majority of environmental contamination. The long-term susceptivity to these environmental contaminants might have counter health effects like organ dysfunction, cancer, physical, psychological, neurological disorders, and compromised immunity. Thus subsequently, the remediation of contaminated area is mandatory in order to retain the area and to reduce the entrance of toxins into the food chain. Contaminants from water and soil can be remediated by various methods, but most of these are expensive, labor-consuming and require on-site renovation through chemical or physical methods. Due to these drawbacks, the scientists had developed some ecofriendly technologies using microorganisms and plants or with combination of both for the elimination of toxins from contaminated soil and water.