Cannabis sativa L. AND ITS POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS IN ENVIRONMENTAL BIOREMEDIATION. A REVIEW.

The rapid population growth, urbanisation and industrialisation as well as modern agricultural practices, have resulted in production of large volumes of various kinds of wastes that pollute the environment. Management of waste is a serious challenge in both developed and developing countries. Hemp /marijuana, scientifically referred to as Cannabis sativa L., is a controversial herb in all spheres of society. While the plant is praised for its therapeutic and perhaps prophylactic properties against a number of ailments, hemp has also found a place in bioremediation, with applications that include ridding environments of biological and chemical contaminants, particularly in wastewater and solid waste. The following account appraises the known and potential applications of hemp in environmental remediation. Studies have shown that Cannabis sativa L. can take up and accumulate heavy metals in its tissues. The specific mechanisms that hemp employs in the bioremediation processes include: (i) phytoexraction, (ii) rhizofiltration, (iii) phytodegradation and (iv) phytovolatisation. Based on the novelty of applications of hemp in bioremediation, further research is urged to unravel the full potential of the plant in all spheres of environmental management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]