Heavy metals play an essential role in living organisms because they participate in the structure of enzymes, proteins, biochemical processes, etc. However, many heavy metals are toxic to human health and the environment, with different levels of impact depending on the type of heavy metal. Four heavy metals have the most significant effect on living organisms: As (in the form of organic As), Hg (in the form of Methylmercury), Pb (Pb). The effects of heavy metals on human health often manifest through the accumulation of heavy metals in food, mainly from crop products. Plants are intermediaries that absorb, accumulate, and transport heavy metals from soil, water, and air to human and animal bodies. Therefore, to minimize the effects of heavy metals on human and animal health, pay attention to the existence and absorption of heavy metals in the soil and the ability of plants to absorb heavy metals, especially in areas at risk of heavy metal pollution. Using plants to treat pollution in general and heavy metals, in particular, is commonly called “Phytoremediation.” Phytoremediation is one of the methods many countries choose to treat heavy metal contamination in soil because of its high feasibility, financial savings, and environmental landscape improvement. As a developing country, Vietnam has limited financial resources for ecological restoration, so phytoremediation is an entirely suitable choice. Studies in Vietnam show that Lantana camara L., Vetiveria zizanioides, Pteris vittata, Pityrogramma calomelanos, and Eleusine indica are lead (Pb) hyperaccumulators. Arsenic (As) can be effectively treated by Pteris vittata, Eleusine indica, and Bidens pilosa L. Plants that have sound potential at absorbing Cadmium (Cd) include Solanum nigrum L., Helianthus annuus, Phragmıtes australis and Eleusine indica. Pteris vittata, Jussiaea fissendocarpa Haines, and Saccharum arundinaceum can accumulate high Zinc (Zn) levels in their biomass. In Vietnam, Vetiveria zizanioides, Phragmites australis, and other plants of the Polypodiaceae family are commonly researched and applied to treat heavy metals in soil. In addition, some scientists also focus on researching native plant species that grow on lands with high heavy metal content to find more plant species that super absorb heavy metals. However, studies on treating plant biomass after using them to absorb heavy metals have not received much attention. Therefore, scientists in Vietnam need to focus on researching this issue in the future to support phytoremediation technology better.
Tạp chí khoa học Trường Đại học Cần Thơ
Lầu 4, Nhà Điều Hành, Khu II, đường 3/2, P. Xuân Khánh, Q. Ninh Kiều, TP. Cần Thơ
Điện thoại: (0292) 3 872 157; Email: tapchidhct@ctu.edu.vn
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