Now, dozens of labs in academia and industry are doing phytoremediation experiments. At an April conference hosted by the University of Missouri, more than 250 researchers from around the world gathered to hear 35 phytoremediation presentations. Clearly, we're on the right track. But we've still got a lot of work to do. This emerging science offers more questions than answers.
All plants absorb essential minerals, including iron, manganese, and zinc.
But heavy metal overdoses are hardly essential. They oviposit, or lay eggs, on both. High-metal plants poison unwelcome caterpillar guests. Researchers are less certain about hyperaccumulator biology. Nobody knows yet.