Several studies have demonstrated that certain particular plants increase biodegradation of a number of exogenous organic molecules in contaminated soils. However, information on mechanisms, stages and the role of plants, direct or even indirect, in transforming such compounds is scarce. The objective of this work is to put on view phytoremediation as a technological helpful alternative for cleaning contaminated soils. General mechanisms and particular stages that plants use, as well as the complex interactions plants-native microorganisms-xenobiotics in the soil are reviewed. This knowledge will allow proposing solutions to problems of contamination and eventually recovering sites and soils.

The accumulation of salts in the soil profile produces conditions that affect the growth of crops. The effects of these conditions on crops and the intensity of these effects depend on the quantity and type of salts that predominate and are also influenced by soil characteristics and climate, among other aspects. The salinization of agricultural soils is a serious problem facing agriculture today. The use of organic amendments has increased in recent years, acting on the texture of the soil, correcting compaction or granularity problems, and influencing chemical and/or biological reactions. The objectives of this work were to analyze the use of compost and vermicompost using different analysis techniques to determine the influence of conditions on the remediation of a saline soil. In saturation extracts of soil, compost, and vermicompost, a Zeta potential value 2.34-2.44 times more negative (more-stable colloids) than that in the soil colloids was observed in the amendments. The values of electrophoretic mobility were more negative in the organic amendments compared with the soil. This is the first time that these parameters have been reported for these purposes and for a saline soil. In this study, the soil has low organic matter content (1.65%), so these amendments are expected to improve soil quality and texture, achieving the recovery of saline soils.