ABSTRACT
The release of heavy metals in agricultural soils has become a worldwide concern over the past years. Various methods are employed to remediate soil-plant system polluted with toxic heavy metals. In situ methods of soil remediation include—surface capping, encapsulation, electrokinetics, immobilization, soil flushing and bioremediation etc. These remediation methods are applied according to their capacity to fulfill specific remediation goals and under varying soil conditions. Ex situ methods includes extraction and subsequent treatment of polluted soils usually away from the natural sites. These methods are employed in two different ways for example solid phase and/or slurry phase bioremediation. Overall, these methods include, land farming, soil washing, vitrification and solidification. Although the cost is higher compared to in situ methods but they are very effective, viable, quick and able to remove a variety of pollutants from contaminated crop fields. Both in situ or ex situ methods have merits and demerits as per specific remedial circumstances which have been discussed here.
