Phytoremediation of metal-polluted soils by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Sebastián Meier, Fernando Borie, Nanthi Bolan, Pablo Cornejo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

215 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Human activities generate wastes, some of which contain large amounts of heavy metals/metalloids that could enter natural ecosystems and alter the activities and functioning of soil micro-and macroorganisms. Microorganisms can adapt/resist to metal stress, and some of them are able to promote the plants establishment and therefore the phytoremediation process. In this context, the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), and their role in phytoremediation, has emerged as a new and interesting choice. In addition to AMF's well-known contribution to plant nutrient acquisition and growth, these fungi develop diverse mechanisms that encourage plants to grow in soils with high toxic metals concentrations. The authors are concerned about the AMF metal tolerance mechanisms and its role in the promotion of in phytoremediation processes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)741-775
Number of pages35
JournalCritical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology
Volume42
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2012
Externally publishedYes

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