Research Progress on Bioremediation Technologies for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soils

Soil heavy metal contamination is a growing concern due to industrial and economic development, making its remediation an urgent task. Phytoremediation, an eco-friendly and cost-effective technique, has become a research hotspot both domestically and internationally. Compared to the limitations of physical and chemical remediation methods, bioremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil offers significant environmental benefits by reducing soil pollution and restoring ecological function, making it more suitable for contemporary soil treatment. This paper reviews the current status of heavy metal contamination and traditional remediation approaches. It then focuses on the mechanisms of phytoremediation for heavy metal contamination soil, particularly through gene-editing techniques. The advantages and disadvantages of traditional lead remediation are analyzed, alongside the benefits and underlying principles of hyperaccumulating plants for heavy metals. We address current challenges in applying phytoremediation, such as low lead extraction efficiency, and discuss gene-editing methods to enhance its effectiveness. The paper highlights key technical schemes and principles of plant genetic engineering, comparing the pros and cons of gene-edited plants for lead-contaminated soil remediation and their application methods. Finally, we explore the challenges and future research directions for genetic technology in heavy metal-contaminated soil remediation.