Technical trends for the valorization of heavy metal containing
hyperaccumulators in China
Abstract
With high biodiversity and a large demand for environmental restoration,
China has become a global hotspot for the investigation and application
of hyperaccumulator plants aiming to effectively decontaminate polluted
soils. After harvesting, the abnormally high content of heavy metals
(HMs) in the aboveground tissues of hyperaccumulators requires proper
treatment in downstream processes to boost the economic potential and
avoid secondary pollution. This paper covers the significance of
phytoextraction research in the remediation of HM-contaminated soil in
China. The technical trends and the major scientific advances for the
eco-friendly valorization of HM-enriched hyperaccumulators are
comprehensively reviewed. A systematic survey of the thermochemical and
biological routes to upcycle the hyperaccumulator biomass is conducted
by emphasizing the transformation strategies for green and valuable
products, along with the safe recovery of HM streams. In addition,
challenges and perspectives on the valorization of hyperaccumulators in
the future are presented.