Phytoremediation and Biofortification : Strategies for Sustainable Environmental and Health Management

For sustainable environmental management as a whole, the roles of phytoremediation and biofortification as two sides of the same coin must be highlighted. Phytoremediation is a process in which biological organisms are used to eliminate or nullify an environmental pollutant by a metabolic course of action. Biofortification, in contrast, is an agrarian process that enhances the micronutrient content of a food crop through plant breeding, genetic modification, use of enriched fertilizers, or management of agricultural practices. These two strategies, although targeting different objectives, both work on the same principle of the bio-extraction process that involves uptake, accretion, removal, and modification of micro- and macro-nutrient elements from the soil. This volume offers a comprehensive overview of phytoremediation and biofortification of Zn, Fe, Cu, and Cd, etc., and illustrates the emerging and innovative combination of these technologies.

With chapters written by experts, the book highlights a wide range of topics and discusses the integration of advanced phytoremediation and biofortification approaches for sustainable ecological and health management. Topics include phytoremediation and biofortification strategies that use nanotechnology; algae, fungi, and other plants; CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome engineering; and more for decontamination of water and soil and for fortifying plants against climate change, toxic chemicals, and other challenges.

Key features:

• reviews and integrates the currently available information on phytoremediation and biofortification from molecular, biochemical, and physiological levels
• provides a direction towards implementation of programs and practices to enable the sustainable production of crops, resilient to climatic alterations

This volume will be valuable for investigators who are working or have an interest in sustainable environmental management as well as for research students, teachers, scientists, and engineers, whether in academia, industry, or government, and those who have an interest in environmental remediation and micronutrient fields.