Adaptation of plants to an environment polluted with heavy metals

This paper presents the problem of tolerance of plants to heavy metals. Induction, development and stability of tolerance are described. Multiple and co-tolerance are presented in the context of specificity of acquired tolerance to heavy metals. Phenomena involved in the uptake and distribution of metals in plant tissues along with the mechanisms of exclusion and accumulation are discussed. The problem of tolerance development in plants is presented also in the light of the nutritional conditions that plants most often encounter in contaminated environments