Phytoremediation of Contaminated Environments Using Halophytes: General Overview

Due to anthropogenic activities, potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) have disrupted our ecosystems. These dangerous substances can infiltrate the food chain, affecting the environment and human life. To preserve our natural resources for future generations, scientists must look for eco-friendly alternatives. About 300 million tons of PTEs from industrial and consumer items, including Cr, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb, and Sn, enter the receiving environments each year. Halophytes plants are found worldwide and grow in various places, including coastal zones, dunes, high-salinity environments, and inland deserts. They may also withstand PTEs stress due to evolved morphological and physiological characteristics such as reduced heavy metal intake through the root system. PTEs contamination causes agriculture yield losses, increases environmental concerns about human well-being, and causes a significant drop in marine and coastal ecosystem biodiversity. Halophytes are plants that can flourish in extreme conditions such as high salinity and PTEs toxicity. This work emphasizes the role of the halophyte plants in terms of PTEs phytoremediation as a long-term strategy for polluted environmental ecosystem restoration, which aligns with the current European Green Deal strategy for a neutral Europe climate by 2050.