Prospects of phytoremediation in degradation of environmental contaminants: recent advances, challenges and way forward

Phytoremediation has gained recognition as an environmentally friendly, cost-efficient, and sustainable solution for addressing pollution in soil and water. This review provides an in-depth analysis of how this technique is applied to treat contaminants such as heavy metals, antibiotics, plastics, and radioactive substances. It emphasizes the effectiveness of plants like Brassica juncea, Pteris vittata, and Eichhornia crassipes, which have demonstrated significant pollutant uptake-removing arsenic concentrations as high as 20,000 mg/kg and reducing lead in wastewater by up to 75%. Innovations in genetic modification and nanotechnology have further enhanced the capabilities of these plants by boosting their tolerance and pollutant degradation potential. The review also explores the role of soil microbes, rhizosphere-based degradation, and the integration of nanomaterials in advancing phytoremediation. However, several challenges persist, such as limited pollutant availability to plants, slow breakdown of plastic waste, and low absorption rates for pharmaceutical residues. This work outlines existing research gaps, highlights regulatory and technical limitations, and proposes forward-looking approaches, including CRISPR-based gene editing, microbial partnerships, and hybrid remediation models. Although still developing, phytoremediation holds considerable promise as a comprehensive approach for restoring polluted environments.