Microbially-assisted phytoremediation of cadmium

Microbially-assisted phytoremediation of cadmium Arpita Bose, PhD, Associate Professor and Nida Zainab, PhD Researcher at Washington University in St. Louis, guide us through the process of microbially-assisted phytoremediation of cadmium. Heavy metal contamination is an extremely dangerous problem that poses a serious risk to humans, plants, and ecosystems on a global scale. One of the most hazardous heavy metals is cadmium (Cd), which harms ecosystems by getting into the food chain. (1) Cd is a class-1 carcinogen, chronic nephrotoxic, and extremely hazardous heavy metal. (2) Plant growth, photosynthetic system loss, and cyto-membrane function are all negatively impacted by Cd assimilation. (3), (4) Long-term exposure to Cd can cause twisting and swelling of the terminals of roots, loss of roots and leaves, and inhibition of horizontal root formation. (5)