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Phytoremediation of Agricultural Soils: Using Plants to Clean Metal-Contaminated Arable Land

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Phytoremediation

Abstract

Heavy metals pose a significant threat to arable land around the world. We describe the dangers of heavy metal contamination in agricultural settings and discuss methods of assessing the risk of metal contamination in agricultural soils and crop plants. We propose remediation options such as phytoextraction and the use of soil amendments as well as non-remediation options such as growing fuel and fiber crops or food crops that exclude metal from edible tissue. We conclude by discussing the potential for genetic modification to reduce metal uptake in food crops and highlighting directions for future research.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Dr. Robert S. Boyd (Auburn University, AL, USA) and Mr. Tanner B. Harris (WRA Environmental Consultants, CA, USA) for their careful review of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Natural and Biological Sciences, Copenhagen University, Bülowsvej 17, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Sarah Neilson M.Sc.

  2. College of the Atlantic, 105 Eden Street, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA

    Nishanta Rajakaruna Ph.D.

  3. Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa

    Nishanta Rajakaruna Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Sarah Neilson M.Sc.
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Correspondence to Nishanta Rajakaruna Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia

    Abid A. Ansari

  2. Centre for Biotechnology, MD University, Rohtak, Haryana, India

    Sarvajeet Singh Gill

  3. Centre for Biotechnology, MD University, Rohtak, Haryana, India

    Ritu Gill

  4. Aquatic Ecology and Microbiology, Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, SUNY - College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, USA

    Guy R. Lanza

  5. Biotechnology and Phytoremediation, Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, SUNY - College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, USA

    Lee Newman

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Neilson, S., Rajakaruna, N. (2015). Phytoremediation of Agricultural Soils: Using Plants to Clean Metal-Contaminated Arable Land. In: Ansari, A., Gill, S., Gill, R., Lanza, G., Newman, L. (eds) Phytoremediation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-10395-2_11

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