Open Access

REVIEW

Climate Change and Aquatic Phytoremediation of Contaminants: Exploring the Future of Contaminant Removal

by Marcelo Pedrosa Gomes^*

Laboratory of Plant Stress Physiology, Department of Botany, Biological Sciences Sector, Federal University of Paraná, Paraná, 81531-980, Brazil

* Corresponding Author: Marcelo Pedrosa Gomes. Email:

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany 2024, 93(9), 2127-2147. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2024.056360

Received 21 July 2024; Accepted 11 September 2024; Issue published 30 September 2024

Abstract

Climate change, driven by anthropogenic activities, profoundly impacts ecosystems worldwide, particularly aquatic environments. This review explores the multifaceted effects of climate change on the phytoremediation capabilities of aquatic plants, focusing on the physiological responses to key environmental factors such as temperature, carbone dioxide (CO₂) and ozone (O₃) levels, pH, salinity, and light intensity. As global temperatures rise, moderate increases can enhance photosynthesis and biomass production, boosting the plants’ ability to absorb and detoxify contaminants, such as metals, pharmaceuticals, and nutrients. However, extreme temperatures and salinity levels impose stress, disrupting metabolic processes and reducing phytoremediation efficiency. Elevated CO₂ levels generally stimulate growth and nutrient uptake, enhancing phytoremediation, but can also lead to nutrient imbalances and water acidification, complicating these benefits. Conversely, increased O₃ levels cause oxidative stress, damaging plant tissues and undermining phytoremediation efforts. This review also highlights the critical role of light intensity and pH in regulating plant growth and contaminant uptake. Optimal light conditions and moderate pH changes can significantly enhance phytoremediation, while reduced light due to increased water turbidity and extreme pH fluctuations pose significant challenges. The interplay between these factors and the microbial communities associated with aquatic plants is explored, revealing complex interactions that influence overall remediation efficiency. By synthesizing current research, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of how climate change influences the physiological processes of aquatic plants and their phytoremediation capacity. The findings underscore the need for adaptive management strategies to harness the benefits of phytoremediation in mitigating water pollution under changing climatic conditions. This review calls for further research into the synergistic and antagonistic interactions between climate variables to develop resilient phytoremediation systems that effectively address environmental contaminants in a warming world.

---

Keywords

---