Our Research

Using plants to mitigate metal toxicity and recover technology critical metals

About one sixth of global cropland is contaminated with metals and metalloids at levels that exceed agricultural and human health safety thresholds. Plants can be used to remediate these polluted environments ‘locking away’ these low value, toxic elements back into the geology of the soil. 

But some elements have more value. Nickel, platinum group and noble metals, and rare earth elements (REEs) are critical components in an increasing array of technologies, and particularly in those used to tackle climate change such as electric vehicle batteries, solar panels and wind turbines. My research group work to develop plants that can be used to selectively extract these high-value, technology critical, and let’s not forget glittery, metals from contaminated soils and wastes.