Plant biology of heavy metal accumulation
Heavy metal accumulation in plants is also dependent on biology of the plant species that is used for Phytoremediation. The following three areas need to be discussed in this connection
Root uptake
A large proportion of metal in the soil remains adsorbed to different constituents of the soil, and the plant’s root system needs to mobilize these metals into the soil solution, before these metals can be taken up by the plant. This can be achieved (i) by secretions of metal-chelating molecules (phytosiderophores); (ii) by the action of metal reductasses that remain bound to the plasma membrance and (iii) by releasing protons from the roots, thus acidifying the soil. The above three methods are also used for soil amendments by root-colonizing bacteria or mycorrhizal fungi
A large proportion of metal in the soil remains adsorbed to different constituents of the soil, and the plant’s root system needs to mobilize these metals into the soil solution, before these metals can be taken up by the plant. This can be achieved (i) by secretions of metal-chelating molecules (phytosiderophores); (ii) by the action of metal reductasses that remain bound to the plasma membrance and (iii) by releasing protons from the roots, thus acidifying the soil. The above three methods are also used for soil amendments by root-colonizing bacteria or mycorrhizal fungi
