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 environ ments. 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 mecha nisms 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.