Sakthieaswari Pandi and Judith Gloriah Rajasekar
Abstract
Toxic heavy metal pollution is a major environmental issue that has intensified due to increased industrial activities. Bioremediation, which utilizes microorganisms or their enzymes to transform harmful heavy metals into less toxic forms, offers a potential solution. However, microbe-based bioremediation has limitations, including the production of hazardous metabolites. Strategies for metal resistance include expelling metal ions from cells, biosorption to cell walls, trapping in extracellular capsules, precipitation, and converting heavy metal ions to less harmful forms. Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF), mutualistic symbionts of most plant roots, is critical for phytoremediation due to their extensive hyphal networks, which enhance the absorption of water, heavy metals, and nutrients from the soil. These hyphae can sequester heavy metals within plant roots. Understanding the role of AMF in plant interactions is crucial for optimizing plant distribution to restore degraded ecosystems. This study explores the potential of AMF as bioremediation agents for heavy metals in soil.