Innovations in Phytoremediation: Application of Artificial Wetlands for the Contaminated Water Treatment and Heavy Metals Removal
Authors: Uturunco German Mamani , Diaz Raúl Reynaldo Ito , Rodriguez Ebed David Paredes , Tisnado Milton Quispe , Ccopa Deyna Lozano , Zea Cristian Yimmy Hilasaca , Chambi Godofredo Huanca , Tapia José Luis Pineda 
Published: November 2024

Objective: The objective of this study was a review to compile research on phytoremediation methods—including phytoextraction, rhizofiltration, phytostabilisation, phytodegradation, and phytovolatilisation—using primary sources to address heavy metal contamination in water.

Theoretical Framework: The study is a basic investigation that includes a contextualization regarding the water issue, as well as the treatment of wastewater. A description of the characteristics and quality indicators of water was carried out, along with the importance of the removal of contaminants such as heavy metals using different technologies like phytoextraction, rhizofiltration, phytostabilization, phytodegradation, and phytovolatilization. This led to a detailed description of artificial wetland techniques as a viable and sustainable alternative.

Method: The methodology adopted for this research includes data collection and compilation of existing information; regarding the different techniques related to wastewater treatment with artificial wetlands, these systems utilize natural processes involving vegetation, soil, and microbial activity to remove contaminants from water. More than 100 articles have been legally downloaded, and systematised in the database to paraphrase sentences and cite appropriately.

Results and Discussion: Phytoremediation is an environmentally friendly technical choice because of its low cost to remediate water and soil contamination through methods of phytoextraction, rhizofiltration, phytostabilisation, phytodegradation and phytovolatilisation for organic contaminants, pesticides, oil waste, heavy metals, antibiotics, etc. It is relevant to choose transgenic plant methods to insert DNA genes and conduct molecular mechanisms through experimental optimisation studies for lightened growth and hyperaccumulation of heavy metals, generating space for metal and biomass storage, and prior knowledge of the physiology and biochemical processes of the plants.

Research Implications: The results can be applied or influence practices in environmental protection using Phytoremediation, which is based on a natural technique of plants and their microbiota associated with roots and tissues, endophytic bacteria as Aeromonas sp, Pseudomonas sp, Bacillus sp, Sinorhizobium meliloti, Chryseomonas sp, Curtobacterium sp, Sphingomonas sp, Erwinia sp, Flavimonas sp retain contaminants. On the other hand, aquatic macrophytes such as Lemna spp, Typha spp, Potamogeton spp, Azolla filiculoides, Ceratophyllum demersm, Eichhornia crassipes, and Phragmites australis constitute an effective and feasible complementary alternative for the treatment of contaminated waters.

Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature There are different phytoremediation methods such as phytoextraction, rhizofiltration, phytostabilisation, phytodegradation, and hytovolatilisation for organic contaminants, pesticides, petroleum waste, heavy metals, pharmaceutical antibiotics, etc. Each of the elements has specific applications depending on the conditions of the place and the type of contaminants in an ecosystem.