Evaluation of the Phytoremediation Potential of Sugarcane for Metal-contaminated Soils

Heavy metal pollution is a worldwide problem. Phytoremediation is an effective and low-cost interesting technology. Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) could be a promising candidate for phytoremediation on metal-contaminated soils due to its high biomass, faster growth and moderate takeup and accumulation of heavy metals such as Cu, Cd, Se, Pb and Mn. As a follow-up processing of sugarcane, bagasse could adsorb heavy metal ions in aqueous solutions and sugarcane juice could be used to produce fuel ethanol efficiently. And some new directions for further research such as biosurfactants-assisted and plant-microorganism associations phytoremediation were also prospected.