International Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 2018; 2(2): 23-26 http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ijaos doi: 10.11648/j.ijaos.20180202.11 ISSN: 2640-1142 (Print); ISSN: 2640-1150 (Online) Review Article Phytoremediation Prospect in Clean Up of Contaminated Environment with Heavy Metals Usman Umar Zango 1, * , Aminu Abubakar 2 , Halima Ibrahim Mukhtar 1 , Sadiq Adamu Minjibir 1 1 Department of Biology, School of Science Education, Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kumbotso, Nigeria 2 Department of Trypanosomiasis, Kano Liaison Office, Infectious Diseases Hospital, Kano, Nigeria Email address: * Corresponding author To cite this article: Usman Umar Zango, Aminu Abubakar, Halima Ibrahim Mukhtar, Sadiq Adamu Minjibir. Phytoremediation Prospect in Clean Up of Contaminated Environment with Heavy Metals. International Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. Vol. 2, No. 2, 2018, pp. 23-26. doi: 10.11648/j.ijaos.20180202.11 Received: October 19, 2018; Accepted: November 19, 2018; Published: December 17, 2018 Abstract: Heavy metals contamination of global environment arises from natural sources directly or indirectly from anthropogenic activities such as rapid industrialization, urbanization, energy generation, improper waste management and other local anthropogenic sources. Phytoremediation is a green emerging technology used to remove pollutants from environment components. Phytoremediation, an emerging cost-effective, non-intrusive, and aesthetically pleasing technology, that uses the remarkable ability of plants to concentrate elements and compounds from the environment and to metabolize various molecules in their tissues, appears very promising for the removal of pollutants from the environment. Within this field of phytoremediation, the utilization of plants to transport and concentrate metals from the soil into the harvestable parts of roots and above ground shoots, i.e., phytoextraction, may be, at present, approaching commercialization. Due to its great potential as a viable alternative to traditional contaminated land remediation methods, phytoremediation is currently an exciting area of active research. This paper highlighted the sources and effects of heavy metals. The paper also discussed the meaning, concept, advantages, and limitations of phytoremediation. Keywords: Phytoremediation, Heavy Metals, Soil, Anthropogenic, Phytoextraction 1. Introduction Numerous industries such as petroleum refinery, soap and detergent, food and beverage, brewery, textiles, building materials, timber products, wood and leather works, metal works, chemicals and plastics, industries were established in Nigeria [1]. Anthropogenic influences (urban, industrial and agricultural activities, increasing consumption of water resources) as well as natural processes (such as, changes in precipitation inputs, erosion, weathering of crustal materials) degrade surface waters and impair their use for drinking, industrial, agricultural, recreational or other purposes [2]. Akaninwor et al., [3] reported that, industrial activities and urbanization in developing countries including Nigeria has gradually led to the deterioration of the environment in recent years. This situation has invariably increased the problem of waste disposal. Untreated wastes from processing factories located in cities are discharged into inland water bodies resulting to stench, discoloration and a greasy oily nature of such water bodies [3]. Over the years, the improper disposal of industrial wastewater effluents has been a major problem and a source of concern to both government and industrialists. In most cases, the disposal or discharge of effluents, even when these are technologically and economically achievable for particular standards, do not always comply with pretreatment requirements and with applicable toxic-pollutant-effluent limitations or prohibitions. The consequence of these anomalies is a high degree of environmental pollution, leading to serious health hazards [1]. Paul and James [4] noted that, dumping of various industrial waste products into water sources, and improper handling of industrial wastes, often result in polluting water sources. Such water pollution disturbs