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Översiktsartikel2025Vetenskapligt granskadÖppen tillgång

Review and Prospects of Phytoremediation: Harnessing Biofuel-Producing Plants for Environmental Remediation

Wijekoon, Wimukthika; Priyashantha, Hasitha; Gajanayake, Pradeep; Manage, Pathmalal; Liyanage, Champika; Jayarathna, Shishanthi; Kumarasinghe, Udayagee

Sammanfattning

Heavy metal (HM) pollution has become a major environmental concern due to increased anthropogenic activities. The persistence and toxicity of HMs pose significant risks to ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health. This review highlights the pressing issue of HM contamination, its impact on ecosystems, and the potential risks of bio-magnification. Addressing these issues requires sustainable and cost-effective solutions. Among various remediation strategies, phytoremediation stands out as a promising green technology for mitigating environmental damage by using plants to extract or detoxify contaminants. A key challenge in phytoremediation, however, is the management of large volumes of contaminated biomass. This study explores the integration of phytoremediation with biofuel production, which not only addresses biomass management but also offers a sustainable solution within the framework of the circular economy. The dual role of specific plant species in both phytoremediation and biofuel production is evaluated, providing reduced environmental waste, lowering remediation costs, and promoting energy security. Future advancements in plant engineering, biotechnology, and process optimization hold the potential to enhance phytoremediation efficiency and biofuel yields. Expanding research into metal-tolerant, high-biomass crops can further improve scalability and economic feasibility. The review also critically assesses challenges such as the safe handling of contaminated biomass, sustainability concerns, and existing research gaps. By merging environmental remediation with bioenergy production, this interdisciplinary approach presents a viable pathway toward sustainable development.

Nyckelord

phytoremediation; biomass; biofuel; HMs

Publicerad i

Sustainability
2025, volym: 17, nummer: 3, artikelnummer: 822
Utgivare: MDPI

SLU författare

UKÄ forskningsämne

Miljö- och naturvårdsvetenskap
Bioenergi

Publikationens identifierare

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su17030822

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/140909