ACCUMULATION OF HEAVY METALS IN PLANTS AND THE POTENTIAL OF PHYTOREMEDIATION: ANALYSIS BASED ON LOCAL SPECIES
Abstract
This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms of heavy metal accumulation in plants and the scientific and practical potential of the phytoremediation process based on local plant species. As a result of industrialization, urbanization, and agricultural activities, excessive concentrations of heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and nickel (Ni) have accumulated in soil and aquatic environments, posing a serious threat to environmental safety. In the process of biogeochemical cycling of these metals, plants represent a crucial link, as they absorb metal ions through their root systems and accumulate them in various vegetative and generative organs. The study examined the tolerance levels of representatives of the local flora to heavy metals, as well as their bioaccumulation coefficients and translocation indices. The obtained results indicate that certain local species possess high phytoremediation potential. In particular, fast-growing plants with high biomass production and strong adaptability to ecological conditions were evaluated as promising tools for the biological remediation of contaminated areas. The research findings scientifically substantiate the significance of phytoremediation as an environmentally safe and economically efficient method for the reclamation of heavy metal-contaminated soils.