# Advancements in Phytoremediation Research in South Africa (1997-2022)
## 1 Introduction  
Environmental pollution is a critical global challenge that demands novel and sustainable solutions. To curb the unprecedented rate of environmental degradation, cutting-edge, sustainable technologies are being developed to degrade and recycle dangerous waste generated by human activities [1]. Common remediation methods like chemical, thermal, physical, and other treatment methods are costly and potentially damaging to the environment. It is becoming a race against time to find more ecological-friendly remediation approaches, given the enormous risks associated with mining activities. Biological restoration techniques have received much-deserved recognition due to their ability to operate within the boundaries of natural processes. The phytoremediation approach contributes to soil health, conserves water quality, and safeguards biodiversity. Phytoremediation is a nature-based procedure that leverages the innate abilities of plants to absorb, cleanse, and amass pollutants from soil, water, and air [1, 2]. The phytoremediation approach may include phytoextraction, phytostabilization, phytostabilization, phytostabilization, phytostabilization, and rhizofiltration [3]. Phytoextraction involves the use of plants to absorb the pollutants and translocate them from the roots to the leaves, and the roots and shoots are subsequently harvested to remove the contaminants from the soil [4, 5]. Phytostabilization uses plant roots to decrease the amount of water percolating through the soil matrix, reduce the formation of hazardous leachate, and prevent erosion, thereby decreasing the mobility and bioavailability of toxic metals in the soil [6, 7]. Rhizofiltration uses plants to absorb toxic metals from polluted aqueous environments via their roots [8; 9]. Phytovolatilization uses plants for the uptake of contaminants from the soil and then transforms them into volatile forms, which are released into the atmosphere by transpiration [10; 11]. Phytodegradation involves the uptake of organic pollutants by plant roots, which are metabolized in plant tissues to less toxic substances [12; 13]. The phytoremediation technique has several benefits, including the ability to be used in situ without the need for extensive excavations or the transfer of pollutants, minimizing harm to ecosystems and habitats. Additionally, phytoremediation may be customized to target certain pollutants, providing a flexible answer to a variety of contaminants (such as heavy metals and organic pollutants) in the environment and even radioactive elements. Its potential goes beyond mitigation since some plant species are advantageous in resource recovery because they may collect important components [6; 7]. Several studies confirm the feasibility and potential of phytoremediation. Studies have shown that some plant species can hyperaccumulate heavy metals, successfully cleaning up polluted soils [14; 15; 16]. The complex interplay between plant-microbe interactions in boosting phytoremediation processes has been identified [17]. These studies highlight the complexity and promise of phytoremediation as a multidisciplinary strategy, including environmental chemistry, soil microbiology, and plant physiology. South Africa is struggling with a host of environmental challenges that pose significant threats to its ecosystems, public health, and economic stability. South Africa has a significant problem with land degradation, especially by mining activities; over 0.19 million hectares are degraded by mine tailings, overburden, mine dams, waste rock dumps, and surface-based mining [18]. Despite reports of some successes in post-mining restoration, Africa still lags in mainstreaming the rehabilitation of mine wastelands [6]. South African landscapes are littered with mine wastes, including residues from mining activities. These wastes are often stockpiled or insecurely disposed of in open waste dumping sites, leading to leaching and acid mine drainage.