Phytoremediation as a Nature-Based Solution for Cleaner River Systems: Mitigating Heavy Metal Contamination in Humid Tropical Environments

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination in river systems poses persistent environmental and public health challenges, particularly in humid tropical regions where high rainfall, intensive land use, and dynamic hydrological processes exacerbate pollutant mobility and ecological vulnerability. Conventional remediation approaches are often energy-intensive, costly, and associated with secondary environmental impacts. In response, phytoremediation has emerged as a nature-based solution that aligns with cleaner production principles by integrating pollution mitigation with ecological restoration. This article critically examines phytoremediation as a sustainable strategy for mitigating heavy metal contamination in humid tropical river systems. Drawing on evidence from aquatic macrophytes, riparian vegetation, mangrove ecosystems, and plant–microbial interactions, the study highlights the effectiveness of phytoremediation in removing and stabilizing metals such as Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, and Zn. The role of microbial communities in enhancing remediation efficiency through nutrient cycling and pollutant transformation is also explored. The findings demonstrate that phytoremediation offers a low-energy, low-emission, and ecologically restorative alternative to conventional remediation methods, contributing to cleaner river systems and long-term environmental resilience. The article concludes by proposing an integrated phytoremediation framework that supports cleaner production, sustainable river management, and nature-based environmental governance in humid tropical regions.