What is the process called that uses plants to remove minerals from the soil?

The process referred to as phytoextraction involves using plants to absorb and remove minerals, particularly heavy metals, from the soil. This is a specialized technique often applied in environmental remediation, where certain plants are cultivated in contaminated sites. These plants take up the unwanted minerals through their roots, effectively cleaning the soil over time by concentrating the pollutants in their tissues, which can later be harvested and disposed of safely.

Phytoextraction is recognized for its effectiveness as a natural and sustainable method for managing soil contamination, making it distinct from the other options given. For instance, while mineral extraction generally pertains to the direct removal or mining of minerals from the earth, it does not involve biological processes. Bioremediation is a broader term that encompasses various methods of using living organisms to mitigate pollution, but it is not solely focused on the specific uptake of minerals by plants. Soil enrichment, on the other hand, refers to the addition of nutrients or organic matter to improve soil fertility, contrasting the specific action of removing minerals that phytoextraction is known for.