Metal accumulation by Alyssum serpyllifolium subsp. malacitanum Rivas Goday (Brassicaceae) across different petrographic entities in South-Iberian ultramafic massifs: plant-soil relationships and prospects for phytomining

Revolutionizing soil heavy metal remediation: Cutting-edge innovations in plant disposal technology

Soil contamination with heavy metals has emerged as a global environmental threat, compromising agricultural productivity, ecosystem integrity, and human health. Conventional remediation techniques often fall short due to high costs, operational complexities, and environmental drawbacks. Plant-based disposal technologies, including biochar, phytometallurgy, and phrolysis, have emerged as promising solutions in this regard. Grounded in a novel experimental framework, biochar is studied for its dual role as soil amendment and metal adsorbent, while phytometallurgy is explored for its potential in resource recovery and economic benefits derived from harvested metal-rich plant biomass. Pyrolysis, in turn, is assessed for transforming contaminated biomass into value-added products, thereby minimizing waste. These plant disposal technologies create a circular model of remediation and resource utilization that holds the potential for application in large-scale soil recovery projects, development of environmentally friendly agro-industries, and advancement in sustainable waste management practices. This review mainly discussed cutting-edge plant disposal technologies-biochar application, phytometallurgy, and pyrolysis-as revolutionary approaches to soil heavy metal remediation. The efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact of these innovative technologies are especially evaluated in comparison with traditional methods. The success of these applications could signal a paradigm shift in how we approach both environmental remediation and resource recovery, with profound implications for sustainable development and circular economy strategies.