Prospect of Using Genetically Modified Plants in Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

Constructed wetlands (CWs) are built to work like natural wetlands. They can remove pollutants from wastewater through physical, chemical, and biological processes. Commonly occuring wetland plants often have limited ability to take up pollutants, especially heavy metals. This is because, they do not have the advanced mechanisms found in transgenic plants. Conventional plants also find it difficult to break down hazardous organic contaminants, making them less effective against complex industrial pollutants and persistent substances. Genetically modified macrophytes, however, can be enhanced with genes that improve capacity to uptake metals, tolerate stress, and to break down pollutants. These improvements enable better contaminant removal, even under tough conditions. They also widen the range of pollutants that can be treated, all while keeping the wetland’s structure intact. This paper reviews currently ongoing researches on using genetically modified (GM) plants in constructed wetlands, drawing from sources like ScienceDirect, ResearchGate, and Elsevier, and using keywords such as ‘genetically modified plants’, ‘constructed wetlands’ and ‘wastewater treatment.’ The review also includes official documents from India and other countries. It prominently shows the proven and likely benefits in treatment efficiency, examines ecological and biosafety risks of releasing transgenic macrophytes, and points out knowledge gaps and future research priorities.