phytoremediation

noun

: the treatment of pollutants or waste (as in contaminated soil or groundwater) by the use of green plants that remove, degrade, or stabilize the undesirable substances (such as toxic metals)
From soil loaded with metal to radionuclide-laden water, researchers hope phytoremediation with an array of species will prove a cheap way to clean man-made messes at mining, nuclear, and industrial sites. Kathryn Sergeant Brown

Examples of phytoremediation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Hemp is known to soak up everything in the soil it’s planted in, a process known as phytoremediation. Joy Organics, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024 Using plants for bioremediation is known as phytoremediation. Elizabeth Waddington, Treehugger, 19 July 2023

Word History

Etymology

phyto- + remediation, probably after bioremediation

First Known Use

1991, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phytoremediation was in 1991

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Cite this Entry

“Phytoremediation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phytoremediation. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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