Utility of Jatropha for Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals and Emerging Contaminants of Water Resources: A Review

Abstract

Contamination of water resources by organic and inorganic pollutants emitted from industrial and non‐industrial activities is a global concern. The availability of toxic pollutants in high concentrations may be lethal to humans and the natural ecosystem. Established technologies that range from biological to chemical methods are available to ameliorate polluted environments. Traditional remediation technologies including physical, chemical, and thermal processes have several drawbacks. The key point is that the fate of most of their products is not known. Recently, phytoremediation has gathered momentum and has attracted the interest of many scientists. It has more advantages than traditional methods. Phytoremediation uses plant mechanisms to remodel contaminated environments. The technologies include phytoextraction, rhizofiltration, phytostabilization, phytodegradation, and phytovolatization. These approaches differ in purposes and goals, which can be remediation, detoxification, management of water movement, and leaching of contaminants, containment, and stabilization. Jatropha has now emerged as a plant that can be exploited for phytoremediation. The plant is able to survive on degraded land, often poor and fragile soils. Jatropha has the ability to facilitate sequestration, uptake, translocation, and detoxification of pollutants. The objective of this paper is to provide a review of the utility of Jatropha for phytoremediation of heavy metals and emerging contaminants. Phytoremediation is a new area undergoing extensive scientific research and development. Thus, amalgamation of trends in research and development is essential in order to shape and guide future work.

Comparative Heavy Metal Uptake and Phytoremediation Potential of Three Jatropha Species

“…For the other species, the effect of EDTA on the phytoextraction of heavy metals by J. gossypifolia from dumpsite was reported by Awokunmi et al [12]. The success of J. curcas is attributed to its highly effective and dedicated mechanism against abiotic pressures making it possible to endure severe climatic condition including excessive dryness, arid and seriously polluted soils [13,14]. However, little studies are available investigating the potential of other species such as J. gossypifolia and J. multifida in the uptake of toxic metals from contaminated soil.…”

Aromatic Plants: Alternatives for Management of Crop Pathogens and Ideal Candidates for Phytoremediation of Contaminated Land

“…Strategies include phytodegradation, phytostabilization, phytovolatilization, rhizofiltration, and phytoextraction [85,86]. The purpose of these approaches differs such as containment, remediation, stabilization, leaching of contaminants, and detoxification [87]. Phytostabilization involves the use of plants that can reduce the movement of pollutants through accumulation by roots [88].…”

Heavy metal phytoremediation: Potential and advancement

“…During this process, plants convert high toxic metals into less toxic metallic compounds then release them into the environment. Some heavy metals like mercury, selenium and volatile hydrocarbons are occurring through phytovolatilisation (Kamusoko et al, 2017). Dushenkov (2003) reported in their studies that plant species such as N. tabacum, Tritium and liriodendron tulipifera effectively absorb and volatilised Hg from highly contaminated soil.…”