Phytoremediation of Nickel: Mechanisms, Application and Management

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Abstract

Nickel (Ni) is one of the toxic heavy metals, and is recognized for its negative effects on the environment where it bioaccumulates and poses a serious threat to human and environmental health. Treatments of nickel pollution need to be done with the consideration that toxic nickel ions (Ni2+) are converted into less toxic chemical forms so that its toxicity to human health and the environment is reduced. Phytoremediation is an emerging green technology that combines the disciplines of plant ecophysiology, soil chemistry, and microbiology to clean up Ni-polluted soils and waters. This solar–driven biological process is now being viewed as an ecologically sustainable alternative to the environmentally destructive or conventional physio-chemical remediation technologies. This chapter gives an overview of the environmental chemistry, speciation, and toxicity of Ni, elaborates on the removal of Ni by phytoremediation processes reported in recent literature, and highlights the key economic and management aspects of Ni phytoextraction.