Remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated with organic chemicals using stabilized nanoparticles: Lessons from the past two decades

▪ Overviewed evolution and environmental applications of stabilized nanoparticles. ▪ Reviewed theories on particle stabilization for enhanced reactivity/deliverability. ▪ Examined various in situ remediation technologies based on stabilized nanoparticles. ▪ Summarized knowledge on transport of stabilized nanoparticles in porous media. ▪ Identified key knowledge gaps and future research needs on stabilized nanoparticles. Due to improved soil deliverability and high reactivity, stabilized nanoparticles have been studied for nearly two decades for in situ remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated with organic pollutants. While large amounts of bench- and field-scale experimental data have demonstrated the potential of the innovative technology, extensive research results have also unveiled various merits and constraints associated different soil characteristics, types of nanoparticles and particle stabilization techniques. Overall, this work aims to critically overview the fundamental principles on particle stabilization, and the evolution and some recent developments of stabilized nanoparticles for degradation of organic contaminants in soil and groundwater. The specific objectives are to: 1) overview fundamental mechanisms in nanoparticle stabilization; 2) summarize key applications of stabilized nanoparticles for in situ remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated by legacy and emerging organic chemicals; 3) update the latest knowledge on the transport and fate of stabilized nanoparticles; 4) examine the merits and constraints of stabilized nanoparticles in environmental remediation applications; and 5) identify the knowledge gaps and future research needs pertaining to stabilized nanoparticles for remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater. Per instructions of this invited special issue, this review is focused on contributions from our group (one of the pioneers in the subject field), which, however, is supplemented by important relevant works by others. The knowledge gained is expected to further advance the science and technology in the environmental applications of stabilized nanoparticles.     

大宝山矿水外排的环境影响:Ⅲ.综合治理对策

大宝山外排酸性矿水对下游水生生态系统及周边农村地区农业生态系统带来严重影响，并可能已危及当地人民的健康。文章根据大宝山矿所在地区的实际情况，对大宝山矿区及周围地区生态退化和环境污染的综合治理途径进行探讨，提出：(1)必须走系统整治的路径才能做到既治标又治本；(2)治理污染源是整个治理方案的关键环节；(3)为了使深受污染之害的矿区周边人民尽快脱离危险，近期最迫切的治理地段是受矿水严重污染的农田，尤其是重污染区一上坝村；(4)在治理方法上，必须将化学治理、生物治理与工程治理相结合；(5)为了更好地实施各项治理工程，可考虑运用经济杠杆，以便有效地筹集足够的矿山治理资金；(6)着眼于未来更严格的环境质量标准，建立水质的生物预警系统；(7)目前制约大宝山矿地区生态环境治理的主要瓶颈之一是缺乏适合中国国情的高效低投入治理技术，政府应考虑提供研究经费支持相关的应用基础研究和技术开发，以便能加快治理的步伐。     

Nitrobenzene contamination of groundwater in a petrochemical industry site

The contaminant transport distance is predicted using numerical model. Zero-valent iron can be used to effectively transform nitrobenzene to aniline. Experiment shows that two-layer PRB systems have a very good treatment effect. Organic contamination of groundwater is a major concern in China. However, remediation technology for groundwater contamination to address the potential harm and danger brought by the above-mentioned serious issue is still in the research stage. This study aims to improve the current research findings. In the research project, drilling, soil, and groundwater sampling and analysis were conducted in a contamination site of a petrochemical plant, migration of contaminants to the river was predicted using a numerical model, the sequence permeable reactive barrier (PRB) for treating nitrobenzene (NB) and benzene was proposed, and simulation was carried out. Research findings demonstrated that three leaking locations had been identified in the plant, the major pollutants were NB and benzene, and the groundwater contamination area was around 640000 m². Computation results of the numerical model indicated that, in the worst case, the groundwater plume would reach the river after migration for nearly 9 years, which would endanger the safety of surface water supply. Furthermore, the two-PRB system with the filling of zero-valent iron (ZVI) and granular activated carbon attached with biofilm exerted strong remediation effects. Experimental results indicated that ZVI could transform NB to aniline effectively with a rate of approximately 93%. Meanwhile, aniline, benzene, and other organic pollutants could easily be biodegraded.     

Redox processes in water remediation

Groundwater is the main source of drinking water and water for agricultural and industrial usage. Therefore, groundwater contamination is prevented and contaminated groundwater is remediated to protect public health and the environment. Methods to remediate groundwater contamination have been recently developed. The use of redox processes in water remediation technologies has not been properly reviewed. Numerous water remediation technologies, such as ultrasonication, bioremediation, electrokinetics and nanotechnology, are closely related to redox processes. Redox processes control the chemical speciation, bioavailability, toxicity, mobility and adsorption of water pollutants in environment. Here, we review (1) general introduction of redox processes, (2) applicability of redox processes in water remediation, and (3) catalytic enhancement of redox potentials to explore its wide applicability in environmental remediation.     

Groundwater resources at risk in the glaciofluvial formation of Jokkavaara in Rovaniemi area, Northern Finland

The best groundwater resources in Finland are generally situated in glaciofluvial formations with thick sand and gravel deposits. The glaciofluvial formation of Jokkavaara, in northern Finland near the town of Rovaniemi, is important for both its groundwater reserves and its sand and gravel resources. The groundwater and mineral resources of Jokkavaara was studied to define their quantity and quality, and to develop a land-use plan which would help civil servants of the municipality to make the decisions necessary for exploiting sand and gravel. The land-use plan shows the areas where exploiting mineral resources is not allowed or recommended because of the risks of contamination of groundwater, or because of injurious effects on the environment caused by noise and dust from gravel pits, or by spoilt landscape. The size of Jokkavaara is 5 km2, and its mineral resources are about 53 million cubic metres. The sand and gravel deposits are at the most, 50 m thick. Risks of contamination by fallout are small, due to the thick sand and gravel deposits above groundwater level. Exploiting mineral resources have no effect on groundwater quality either. By the land-use plan and legislation, good groundwater can also be protected in the future. Legislation limits the exploitation of mineral resources especially in groundwater areas.     

Stabilization treatment of contaminated soil: a field-scale application in Shanghai,China

Stabilization is one of the best demonstrated available technologies for treating toxic pollutants in soils and has been used worldwide but is rarely used for treatment of contaminated sites in China despite many bench-scale studies. Here, a field-scale application of stabilization treatment in Shanghai, China was summarized to demonstrate the whole engineering process and the key technical issues regarding stabilization of contaminated soil. A site contaminated with arsenic (As) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), formerly used as a lighting plant in Shanghai, was chosen as the demonstration site. Stabilizing measures were taken to treat the contaminated soil to reuse the site for residential purposes. The whole engineering remediation process consisted of phase I environmental site assessment (ESA) and phase II ESA, quantitative human health risk assessment, remediation alternatives evaluation, bench-scale testing, remedial design, engineering implementation, and post-remediation assessment. A third party conducted evaluation monitoring indicated desirable results were achieved via the stabilization treatment. In addition, some technical obstacles related to soil stabilization treatment were discussed, including soil quality evaluation, stabilization effectiveness validation, and soil reuse assessment.     

华北平原地下水有机污染特征初步分析

各种污染造成地下水中有害物质逐年增加,地下水水质逐渐下降,严重危及了饮用水安全。针对此情况,按照相关的要求,采集了245组水样。样品由有资质的测试单位测定。依据对地下水质调查的初步分析,华北平原地下水中已有机物检出。对所有水样测试结果的统计显示：检出的有机污染物共有32种。检出率大于4.5%的有氯仿、甲苯、四氯乙烯、苯并[a]芘、氯苯、苯和1,2-二氯苯,其中个别水样中的四氯化碳、苯并[a]芘和挥发性酚类三项超过了饮用水标准（据地下水质量标准报批稿,中国地质调查局,2007）,超标率分别为1.22%、2.45%和1.90%。个别在深层地下水样品中也检出了微量有机污染物,这可能与取样井的混合开采、止水不佳有关。从区域上来看,在人类活动相对强烈的城镇地区地下水中,有机物检出率相对较高,特别是在渗透性好的山前地带,污染物较易进入到地下水中。通过分析发现,地下水有机物的高检出率与地下水硬度的升高有一定相关性。由于地下水有机污染在时间和空间上差异一般较大,建议对已发现的异常点进行重复取样测试,积累水质数据,以利于将来的综合分析。     

西方国家工业污染场地管理经验及其对中国的借鉴

近年来,随着＂退二进三＂、＂退城进园＂和＂产业转移＂等政策的实施,中国几乎所有的大中城市正面临着重污染工业企业关闭和搬迁问题,城市出现大量工业遗留和遗弃场地。这些受污染的工业场地多存在较为严重的土壤、地表水和地下水污染;另外,工业污染场地的延迟再开发,会产生生活环境变差、就业机会减少、甚至社会不稳定因素增加等社会影响。所以,城市工业污染场地严重威胁着城市人居环境安全和公众健康,阻碍着城市建设和经济发展。面对工业污染场地目前存在的问题,国家及部分地方政府已针对污染场地的管理、修复及其再开发颁布了诸多文件和技术规范标准。然而,由于工业场地类型的多样性和环境管理学科的交叉性,中国城市工业污染场地的环境管理工作仍处于起步阶段,亟需完善。美国、英国和加拿大经过20~30年的发展已经在工业污染场地管理方面积累了丰富的经验,他们不仅在环境管理中体现了人体健康风险评估的理念,而且还立足本国实际出台了相关的法律法规,明确了污染场地的责任主体,实现了＂污染者付费＂的原则,同时还建立了各自的污染场地治理优先名录,实现了污染场地管理的信息化和网络化。本文鉴于对这些经验的比较分析,结合我国实际,就城市工业污染场地的环境管理提出了现阶段亟须解决的两大问题。首先,制定工业污染场地管理的专门法律,明确污染场地的责任主体。我国现有的与污染场地有关的国家法律法规,都比较笼统地提出了污染场地的利益相关方,缺乏具有可操作性的细则和威慑力的责任追究条款。对于我国这样地域辽阔、自然地理条件差异大、经济水平不均衡的国家来说,通过地方法律法规的建立明确污染场地的责任主体是一个重要的尝试。其次,构建污染场地健康风险评估系统。我国城市工业污染场地涉及诸多工业行业、污染类型繁多复杂。因此,在全国范围内对城市工业污染场地进行排查、建立优先污染场地名录是构建污染场地风险评估系统的重要内容。此外,我国现有的土壤质量标准和场地评估规范仍存在诸多缺陷,无法满足当前国家城市工业污染场地的管理需要。所以,完善场地评估的技术规范和相关标准将为污染场地风险评估系统的构建提供基础性保障。本文的论述和观点可为我国工业企业关停或搬迁遗留地的决策管理和污染场地管理体系的建立提供有意义的参考和借鉴。     

Enhanced reductive degradation of carbon tetrachloride by carbon dioxide radical anion-based sodium percarbonate/Fe(II)/formic acid system in aqueous solution

Complete CT degradation was achieved by SPC/Fe(II)/FA system.Formic acid established the reductive circumstance by producing CO₂·^–.CO₂·^– was the dominant active species responsible for CT degradation.CT degradation was favorable in the pH range from 3.0 to 9.0.SPC/Fe(II)/FA system may be suitable for CT remediation in contaminated groundwater.The performance of sodium percarbonate (SPC) activated with ferrous ion (Fe(II)) with the addition of formic acid (FA) to stimulate the degradation of carbon tetrachloride (CT) was investigated. Results showed that CT could be entirely reduced within 15 min in the system at a variety of SPC/Fe(II)/FA/CT molar ratios in experimental level. Scavenging tests indicated that carbon dioxide radical anion (CO2·^–) was the dominant reactive oxygen species responsible for CT degradation. CT degradation rate, to a large extent, increased with increasing dosages of chemical agents and the optimal molar ratio of SPC/Fe(II)/FA/CT was set as 60/60/60/1. The initial concentration of CT can hardly affect the CT removal, while CT degradation was favorable in the pH range of 3.0–9.0, but apparently inhibited at pH 12. Cl^– and HCO₃^– of high concentration showed negative impact on CT removal. Cl^– released from CT was detected and the results confirmed nearly complete mineralization of CT. CT degradation was proposed by reductive C-Cl bond splitting. This study demonstrated that SPC activated with Fe(II) with the addition of FA may be promising technique for CT remediation in contaminated groundwater.     

Full scale amendment of a contaminated wood impregnation site with iron water treatment residues

Iron water treatment residues are a free by-product with high concentration of iron oxides Iron water treatment residues has a large potential for arsenic sorption Soils are highly contaminated by arsenic at wood preservation sites Iron water treatment residues were added to hot spots contaminated with arsenic The addition led to significant decrease in leaching of arsenic from the contaminated soil Iron water treatment residues (Fe-WTR) are a free by-product of the treatment of drinking water with high concentration of iron oxides and potential for arsenic sorption. This paper aims at applying Fe-WTR to a contaminated site, measuring the reduction in contaminant leaching, and discussing the design of delivery and mixing strategy for soil stabilization at field scale and present a cost-effective method of soil mixing by common contractor machinery. Soil contaminated by As, Cr, and Cu at an abandoned wood impregnation site was amended with 0.22% (dw) Fe-WTR. To evaluate the full scale amendment a 100 m² test site and a control site (without amendment) were monitored for 14 months. Also soil analysis of Fe to evaluate the degree of soil and Fe-WTR mixing was done. Stabilization with Fe-WTR had a significant effect on leachable contaminants, reducing pore water As by 93%, Cu by 91% and Cr by 95% in the upper samplers. Dosage and mixing of Fe-WTR in the soil proved to be difficult in the deeper part of the field, and pore water concentrations of arsenic was generally higher. Despite water logged conditions no increase in dissolved iron or arsenic was observed in the amended soil. Our field scale amendment of contaminated soil was overall successful in decreasing leaching of As, Cr and Cu. With minor improvements in the mixing and delivery strategy, this stabilization method is suggested for use in cases, where leaching of Cu, Cr and As constitutes a risk for groundwater and freshwater.     

Evaluation of Electrokinetic Remediation of Arsenic-contaminated Soils

The potential of electrokinetic (EK) remediation technology has been successfully demonstrated for the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated fine-grained soils through laboratory scale and field application studies. Arsenic contamination in soil is a serious problem affecting both site use and groundwater quality. The EK technology was evaluated for the removal of arsenic from two soil samples; a kaolinite soil artificially contaminated with arsenic and an arsenic-bearing tailing-soil taken from the Myungbong (MB) gold mine area. The effectiveness of enhancing agents was investigated using three different types of cathodic electrolytes; deionized water (DIW), potassium phosphate (KH₂PO₄) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The results of the experiments on the kaolinite show that the potassium phosphate was the most effective in extracting arsenic, probably due to anion exchange of arsenic species by phosphate. On the other hand, the sodium hydroxide seemed to be the most efficient in removing arsenic from the tailing-soil. This result may be explained by the fact that the sodium hydroxide increased the soil pH and accelerated ionic migration of arsenic species through the desorption of arsenic species as well as the dissolution of arsenic-bearing minerals.     

Chemical and isotopic investigation of groundwater in Tahta region,Sohag-Egypt

Chemical and isotopic investigations indicate that the recharge source for the groundwater in the Tahta district, adjacent to the Nile, is mainly from the Nile water seeping from irrigation channels. The water's chemical type is sodium bicarbonate, with values of oxygen-18 and deuterium close to that of Nile water. Another minor source of recharge to the far west of the Nile bank is palaeowater. This water's chemical type is sodium sulphate and sodium chloride. The change of water quality in some groundwater samples could be due to the extensive use of fertilizers to improve soil characteristics in new reclamation projects. In addition, these wells are slightly depleted in oxygen-18, deuterium and tritium. Recommendations for the periodic monitoring of groundwater quality for proper use are given.     

Origin and assessment of groundwater pollution and associated health risk: a case study in an industrial park,northwest China

Groundwater quality which relates closely to human health has become as important as its quantity due to the demand for safe water. In the present study, an entropy-weighted fuzzy water quality index (WQI) has been proposed for performing groundwater quality assessment in and around an industrial park, northwest China, where domestic water requirements are solely met by groundwater. The human health risk was assessed with the model recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. In addition, the sources of major ions and main contaminants were also analyzed. The study shows that groundwater in the study area has been contaminated conjunctively by natural processes and industrial and agricultural activities. Nitrate, manganese (Mn), fluoride, total dissolved solids, total hardness and sulfate are major contaminants influencing groundwater quality. Nitrate and heavy metals such as Mn are mainly affected by human agricultural activities and industrial production, while other contaminants are mainly originated from mineral weathering and water–rock interactions. The results of water quality assessment suggest that half of the groundwater samples collected are of medium quality thus require pretreatment before human consumption. The mean health risk caused by the consumption of contaminated groundwater in the area is 8.42 × 10^?5 per year which surpasses the maximum acceptable level (5 × 10^?5 per year) recommended by the International Commission on Radiologic Protection. The entropy-weighted fuzzy WQI proposed in this study can not only assign proper weights to parameters but also treat uncertainties associated with water quality classification. This study will be of interest to international environmentalists and hydrogeologists. It will also be useful in regional groundwater management and protection.     

Is there a relationship between soil and groundwater toxicity?

Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requires environmental regulators to assess the risk of contaminants leaching from soils into groundwater (DETR, 1999). This newly introduced legislation assumes a link between soil and groundwater chemistry, in which rainwater leaches contaminants from soil into the saturated zone. As the toxicity of both groundwater and overlying soils is dependent upon the chemicals present, their partitioning and their bioavailability, similar patterns of soil, leachates and groundwater toxicity should be observed at contaminated sites. Soil and groundwater samples were collected from different contaminated land sites in an urban area, and used to determine relationships between soil chemistry and toxicity, mobility of contaminants, and groundwater chemistry and toxicity. Soils were leached using water to mimic rainfall, and both the soils and leachates tested using bioassays. Soil bioassays were carried out using Eisenia fetida, whilst groundwater and leachates were tested using the Microtox test system and Daphnia magna 48 h acute tests. Analysis of the bioassay responses demonstrated that a number of the samples were toxic to test organisms, however, there were no significant statistical relationships between soil, groundwater and leachate toxicity. Nor were there significant correlations between soil, leachates and groundwater chemistry.     

Distribution,enrichment mechanism and risk assessment for fluoride in groundwater: a case study of Mihe-Weihe River Basin,China

● High fluorine is mainly HCO₃·Cl-Na and HCO₃-Na type. ● F⁻ decreases with the increase of depth to water table. ● High fluoride is mainly affected by fluorine-containing minerals and weak alkaline. ● Fluorine pollution is mainly in the north near Laizhou Bay (wet season > dry season). ● Groundwater samples have a high F⁻ health risk (children > adults). Due to the unclear distribution characteristics and causes of fluoride in groundwater of Mihe-Weihe River Basin (China), there is a higher risk for the future development and utilization of groundwater. Therefore, based on the systematic sampling and analysis, the distribution features and enrichment mechanism for fluoride in groundwater were studied by the graphic method, hydrogeochemical modeling, the proportionality factor between conventional ions and factor analysis. The results show that the fluorine content in groundwater is generally on the high side, with a large area of medium-fluorine water (0.5–1.0 mg/L), and high-fluorine water is chiefly in the interfluvial lowlands and alluvial-marine plain, which mainly contains HCO₃·Cl-Na- and HCO₃-Na-type water. The vertical zonation characteristics of the fluorine content decrease with increasing depth to the water table. The high flouride groundwater during the wet season is chiefly controlled by the weathering and dissolution of fluorine-containing minerals, as well as the influence of rock weathering, evaporation and concentration. The weak alkaline environment that is rich in sodium and poor in calcium during the dry season is the main reason for the enrichment of fluorine. Finally, an integrated assessment model is established using rough set theory and an improved matter element extension model, and the level of groundwater pollution caused by fluoride in the Mihe-Weihe River Basin during the wet and dry seasons in the Shandong Peninsula is defined to show the necessity for local management measures to reduce the potential risks caused by groundwater quality.     

土壤优先水流及污染物优先迁移的研究进展

土壤优先水流是非平衡管道流。土壤优先水流具有优先穿透、侧向入渗、穿透曲线不对称性和拖尾等特征。因其与土壤的作用较弱，并可携带溶质快速穿透土壤，造成土壤水分和养分利用率下降，同时导致地下水污染。向下移动的ＮＯ_３~－农药和其它溶质造成的地下水溶质浓度的变化远高于期望值。本文从土壤优先水流的产生机理出发，综述了土壤优先水流的特征、土壤优先水流的研究方法、土壤优先水流对环境的影响和土壤优先水流的研究进展，并对该领域研究的发展趋势进行了探讨。     

土壤原位修复技术研究与应用进展

土壤原位修复技术是指不经挖掘,直接在污染场地就地修复污染土壤的土壤修复技术,具有投资低,对周边环境影响小的特点,是土壤修复的研究热点。土壤原位修复技术主要有淋洗,气相抽提（SVE）,多相抽提（MPVE）,气相喷射（IAS）,生物降解,原位化学氧化（ISCO）,原位化学还原,污染物固定,植物修复等。淋洗法主要用于治理高渗透性土壤中的重金属和难挥发降解的有机物。土壤气相抽提和喷射技术适用于处理土壤中的易挥发污染物,并有常与加热技术,生物处理技术等联用,可以起到促进污染物挥发,增氧促分解的作用。多相抽提法主要用于治理存在大量非水相流体的污染场地,可将土壤中有机相污染物直接抽出。生物降解有生物好氧降解、生物厌氧降解、生物还原降解多种,降解方式由污染物种类和地质条件决定。化学方法可将污染物氧化或还原为低毒无毒物质,周期一般较短。固定污染物可以直接加入药剂反应生成沉淀,也可制造合适条件使微生物生成可沉淀重金属的离子。植物修复主要用于富集重金属,成本低廉,但富集了重金属的植物体的有效利用尚待进一步研究。土壤原位修复需要因地制宜,灵活结合工期、污染情况、地质条件、地面设施等,得出最经济实用的修复方法,并在辅助提高技术上展开更多研究,使原位修复技术更经济有效。     

Groundwater fluoride contamination,probable release,and containment mechanisms: a review on Indian context

Fluoride contamination in the groundwater has got great attention in last few decades due to their toxicity, persistent capacity and accumulation in human bodies. There are several sources of fluoride in the environment and different pathways to enter in the drinking water resources, which is responsible for potential effect on human health. Presence of high concentration of fluoride ion in groundwater is a major issue and it makes the water unsuitable for drinking purpose. Availability of fluoride in groundwater indicates various geochemical processes and subsurface contamination of a particular area. Fluoride-bearing aquifers, geological factors, rate of weathering, ion-exchange reaction, residence time and leaching of subsurface contaminants are major responsible factors for availability of fluoride in groundwater. In India, several studies have reported that the groundwater of several states are contaminated with high fluoride. The undesirable level of fluoride in groundwater is one of the most natural groundwater quality problem, which affects large portion of arid and semiarid regions of India. Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and West Bengal are the relatively high-fluoride-contaminated states in India. Chronic ingestion of high doses of fluoride-rich water leads to fluorosis on human and animal. Over 66 million Indian populations are at risk due to excess fluoride-contaminated water. Therefore, groundwater contamination subject to undesirable level of fluoride needs urgent attention to understand the role of geochemistry, hydrogeology and climatic factors along with anthropogenic inputs in fluoride pollution.     

重金属污染土壤的电动原位修复技术研究

电动力学修复技术作为一种新型的修复技术,由于其处理土壤污染的高效性,近几年来受到了越来越多的关注。综述了电动力学修复技术原理及近几年来其在重金属修复中的最新研究进展,阐述了电动力学修复技术相对于其它修复技术的优势,并指出了电动修复技术中需要克服的技术障碍,探讨了其大规模商业应用的可行性。电动技术能够强化土壤物质的传质过程,能够高效、快速定向迁移土壤中重金属离子达到去除的目的;同时电动技术可以与其它修复技术结合发展出系列组合修复技术,具有广泛的应用前景。从单一电动到复合电动是今后电动力学技术发展的重要方向。目前对污染物质复合电动力学效应下的迁移机理及模型、不同土壤性质(组分、酸碱性等)对于污染物质去除效率及其调控措施的研究仍需进一步深入。     

Phytoremediation of heavy metals: mechanisms,methods and enhancements

Polluted soil and water impact the quality of food and nutrients of human and animal biota. Soil and water are mainly polluted by effluent discharges from industries, which are broadly classified into metallic and nonmetallic pollutant-bearing effluents. In order to tackle this problem, a plant-based technology called phytoremediation is used to clean contaminated lands. Phytoremediation is based upon several processes such as phytodegradation, phytovolatilization, phytoaccumulation and phytoextraction. These methods are efficient, eco-friendly and economic. This paper reviews the methods and mechanisms involved in phytoremediation of heavy metals, and enhancement processes.