Raffaele Dello Ioio, from Sapienza University of Rome, recently took part in a Ministerial Program for scientific education in High Schools, where he discussed and promoted advanced sustainable methods for monitoring and removing contaminants from soil and water. During his presentations, he explained the challenges connected to pollutant detection, and how plants can be used to remove and identify contaminants. He also highlighted how certain plants and microorganisms can absorb, degrade, or stabilize both organic and inorganic pollutants, offering a natural solution to environmental issues.
One key process in this field is phytoextraction, where plants absorb contaminants and store them in their leaves or stems. Some plants are naturally resistant to toxicity, and some can become tolerant to contaminants thanks to modern biotechnologies. The types of contaminants plants target include organic pollutants like persistent organic pollutants such as dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls, and hydrocarbons like benzene, toluene, and xylene—as well as pharmaceuticals such as ibuprofen and antibiotics. In addition, plants are also effective at absorbing inorganic contaminants like heavy metals, including cadmium, lead, nickel, mercury, and arsenic.
As part of the MOBILES project, researchers are studying Arabidopsis thaliana and Pteris vittata to understand the mechanisms that enhance arsenic tolerance and absorption. For the research purposes, these plants have been genetically modified to change colour in response to contaminant absorption. This ability makes them very interesting option for pollutant detection providing an eco-friendly and efficient solution for removing hazardous substances. Depending on the type and concentration of contaminants present, these plants are used in various phytoremediation techniques, offering a sustainable approach to environmental cleanup.
