Organic Contaminants and Phytoremediation: A Critical Appraisal

The environmental impact of agriculture is based on the extensive multiplicity of agricultural practices used globally. The debasement of water, air and soil standard by nutrients emerging from agriculture is a serious environmental concern. Modern agricultural practices are accountable for the release of hefty quantities of agrochemicals, organic matter and waste materials into the environment. Agriculture pollution exerts influence on billions of people and makes yearly expenditure exceeding billions of dollars. Inorganic and organic contaminants pose potential pollution risk in agriculture. Volatile organic compounds (gas or liquid phase) and solid organic compounds can cause undesirable environmental issues such as soil degradation, water/air pollution, deforestation, irrigation problems, waste generation and climate change. Organic contamination results in biodiversity loss and less agricultural productivity. The use of plants, especially bioenergy crops, could be a sustainable, lucrative selection to trim down pollutant exposure. Phytomanagement practices aim at applying beneficial non-food crops to lessen environmental and health risks generated by pollutants, and at re-establishing ecosystem services.