Figure 2. The important phytoremediation technologies applied are rhizofiltration, phytostabilization, phytovolatilization, and phytoextraction. The term phytoremediation ("phyto" meaning plant, and the Latin suffix "remedium" meaning to clean or restore) actually refers to a diverse collection of plant-based technologies that use either naturally occurring or genetically engineered plants for cleaning contaminated environments. One of the primary objectives behind the development of phytoremediation technologies is its potential for application at a low-cost. Althouh the term, phytoremediation, is of a relatively recent origin, the practice is not.