Phytoremediation of Agricultural Soils: Using Plants to Clean Metal-Contaminated Arable Land

Heavy metals pose a significant threat to arable land around the world. We describe the dangers of heavy metal contamination in agricultural settings and discuss methods of assessing the risk of metal contamination in agricultural soils and crop plants. We propose remediation options such as phytoextraction and the use of soil amendments as well as non-remediation options such as growing fuel and fiber crops or food crops that exclude metal from edible tissue. We conclude by discussing the potential for genetic modification to reduce metal uptake in food crops and highlighting directions for future research.