Phytoremediation with Trees

Phytoremediation is a proven technology for many organic and inorganic pollutants. Practical reasons have led trees to be neglected in laboratory studies in favour of herbaceous model species. However, trees are gaining momentum over herbaceous plants in field trials because of their greater effectiveness. Recent progress supports that fast-growing trees commonly used in short-rotation coppicing are naturally endowed with key advantages to fight pollution. If properly managed, these trees can also provide important ecological services that will contribute positively to cost-effectiveness and social perception. To fully exploit this potential, we need to better understand the biochemical networks underlying pollutant metabolism and the complex interactions between trees and their endophytic and rhizospheric communities. We examine here recent advances regarding the uptake and fate of relevant organic and inorganic pollutants in plants, with particular emphasis on results obtained with trees. The prospects offered by microbial inoculation and genetic transformation, two approaches successfully field tested, are also discussed. Tree planting for land restoration fits nicely in the new paradigm of phytomanagement.