Bioremediation of Heavy Metals: A New Approach to Sustainable Agriculture

With the advancement in agricultural practices, use of various chemicals for better yield is posing huge threat to the society. These chemical containing variable amounts of heavy metals are the key players that have become threat to plants and human beings. The discharge of various harmful environmental pollutants from different industrial sectors has created a challenge for environmentalists and scientists concerning the sustainable development of mankind. Particularly in plants, heavy metals are essential for its growth and development, but when the concentration of each heavy metal crosses, its threshold concentration becomes harmful for plants itself. These heavy metals possess specific density of more than 5 g/cm3 (Cr-7.2, Co-8.9, Ni-8.7, Cu-8.9, Zn-7.1, Mo-10.2, Cd-8.2 etc.). Various survey studies reveals intense exposure of heavy metals still continues in different parts of the world though its ill-effects are well documented. Some of the well-known heavy metals include arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, zinc, etc., all of which cause risks for the environment and human health. Considering heavy metals as potential threat to different life forms, it has become an important and interesting issue since last few decades. This chapter attempts to review different strategies for remediating heavy metal contamination with the plants and microorganisms. An attempt has also been made to review and promote the sustainable development with the involvement of phytoremediation and micro-remediation technologies.