Coping Mechanisms of Plants to Metal Contaminated Soil

Metals such as cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and nickel (Ni) are essential for nor‐ mal plant growth and development since they contribute to the function of many en‐ zymes and proteins. However, metals can potentially become toxic to plants when they are present at high levels in their bioavailable forms (Hall, 2002). Phytotoxic levels of one or more inorganic ions in soil can be found in various parts of the world. These toxic sites occurred through natural processes or by anthropogenic effects. Naturally toxic soils include saline, acidic and serpentine soils, while anthropogenic polluted soils occur through mining activities, aerial fallout, and the run-off from galvanized sources of electricity pylons or motorway verges polluted by vehicle exhaust fumes (Bradshaw, 1984). The biochemical effect of metals on plants varies and the excess metal usually results in oxidative damage which affects their phenotype (Kachout et al., 2009)