Prospects of <i>in situ</i> nano-mycorrhizo-phytoremediation (NMPR) strategy of decontaminating HM-contaminated aquatic freshwater ecosystems – A review

roots secrete phytochelating nano-molecules in their rhizospheres which translocate HMs from the HM-contaminated waters into their cortices, and the extraradical mycelium (ERM) of their root-associated indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) also secrete HM-affinity-transporters-nano-molecules in the rhizospheres of the host plant. AMF also secrete Glomalin-nano-molecules which help bind the rhizosphere soil. Vetiver grass and its AMF associations can be used as potential bio-tools for decontaminating polluted aquatic ecosystems and wetlands and exploited by using them in planted-constructed wetlands (CWs) to remove heavy metals from wetlands and aquatic ecosystems in a process termed as Nano-Mycorrhizo-Phyto-Remediation (NMPR). The mycorrhiza is one of the most important symbioses on earth, linking the rhizosphere (and its microbiota and the root systems of aquatic macrophytes and they play an important role in the growth of plants by increasing their tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses on contaminated soils and waters. AM fungi should be considered as ideal participants of CW systems for the phytoremediation of HM-contaminated waters.