Plant-Mediated Removal of Environmental Pollutants: Mechanisms of Pollution Remediation, Ecological Sustainability and Restoration of Degraded Ecosystems.

Environmental pollution remains a major global challenge, threatening human health, ecological stability and sustainable development. This review examines plant-mediated removal of environmental pollutants, with emphasis on pollution remediation mechanisms, ecological sustainability and the restoration of degraded ecosystems. It discusses the fundamental principles of phytoremediation, plant species employed in environmental remediation and the interactions between plants, soil and microorganisms. Major remediation mechanisms, including phytoextraction, phytostabilization, rhizofiltration, phytodegradation, phytovolatilization and rhizodegradation, are examined in relation to their roles in removing, immobilising and transforming environmental contaminants. The review further highlights the application of phytoremediation in managing heavy metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, organic pollutants, contaminated soils and industrial wastewater. Additionally, it explores the contributions of plant-based remediation to soil and water quality improvement, biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration and ecosystem restoration. Factors influencing remediation efficiency, including plant characteristics, pollutant properties, soil conditions and microbial activities, are also discussed. Despite its environmental benefits, phytoremediation faces limitations associated with slow remediation rates, plant toxicity and contaminated biomass disposal. Emerging approaches, particularly genetic engineering and microbial-assisted remediation, offer opportunities for improving its effectiveness. The review concludes that phytoremediation represents a promising complementary strategy for sustainable pollution management and ecological restoration.