This work presents the problem of soil pollution by heavy metals and its negative influence on the living organisms. In this paper the phytoremediation technique of cleaning soil polluted by heavy metals has been described. The use of plants to clean up soils polluted by heavy metals is more effective whenthe process is enhanced by different compounds. Some chemical enhancements like EDTA as well as natural substances, like low molecular weight organic acids (for example citric acid) can be used in the assisted phytoextraction.
This paper presents the latest reports about EDTA and citric acid assisted phytoextraction of lead, cadmium and zinc polluted soils. Moreover, the risks of using these chelators in assisted phytoextraction have been described.