Tree species as a sustainable green solution for cadmium phytoremediation  

Cd is recognized as highly toxic to living organisms and humans. It is present in the atmosphere, rocks, sediments, and soils. Cd enters ecosystems via numerous anthropogenic activities and emissions to the environment. Further, development in industries has built up a higher concentration of Cd in soils. Its presence in food in excess amounts may cause severe conditions in humans, therefore prevention of cadmium entering the food chain and its removal from contaminated soils is important. Over the past several years, many chemical and biological approaches for the remediation of Cd have been proposed. Phytoremediation, often called green remediation involves the use of plants (herbaceous, tree species) for the soil clean-up. This review is an attempt to summarize current information on the use of different plants and potential tree species for Cd phytoremediation from contaminated soils and the preferred accumulation of this heavy metal in different plant parts.