Phytoremediation Potential of Heavy Metals by <i>Cyperus rotundus</i>

Abstract

Growing industrialization and urbanization are seriously polluting the environment with hazardous heavy metals. Heavy metal pollution has caused major consequences on human health and the environment on a global level. Economically effective and environmentally friendly methodologies and technologies are utilized globally to remediate heavy metal-contaminated soils and wastewater. Phytoremediation is one of the potential technologies for the in-site treatment of heavy metal-contaminated soil and water. Over 163 plant species with the ability of metal concentration and tolerance have been discovered in the world as possible phytoremediators. Among the plant species used for phytoremediation, Cyprus rotundus is a safe and inexpensive phytoremediation agent that has a high capacity to accumulate heavy metals in its plant parts. This review provides a general overview of the phytoremediation potential of Cyperus rotundus through reviewing relevant originally published research articles. For the study, a literature survey was conducted by using articles from top academic research databases including ScienceDirect, JSTOR, Google Scholar, and PubMed. A total number of 71 originally published articles related to phytoremediation and heavy metal phytoremediation of Cyperus rotundus were selected for the review. According to previous studies, Cyperus rotundus is capable of extracting and accumulating As, Cd, Pb, Rb, Sn, and Zn in its roots and shoots when the soil is highly polluted with the aforementioned heavy metals. Moreover, Cypreus rotundus indicate a considerable value of bioconcentration factors and translocation factors to different heavy metals, whereas it emphasizes the possible remediation of heavy metals through this plant species. Consequently, Cyperus rotundus could be identified as a possible hyperaccumulator and Phytostabilizer for most heavy metals for upcoming phytoremediation studies.