ABSTRACT
Bioremediation is an integrated management of a polluted ecosystem where different organisms are employed to catalyze the natural processes that decontaminate the environment. The potential role of bioremediation, particularly higher terrestrial plants (phytoremediation) research in the remediation of metal-polluted sites, has been the focus of much research in recent years. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are soil microorganisms that establish mutual symbiosis with the majority of higher plants, providing direct links between fungi and roots. This paper reviews the incidence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in metal polluted sites, their role in imparting metal tolerance to plants, the factors affecting arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in metal polluted sites, and their mechanism of heavy metal tolerance. Particular attention is given to the current methodologies and challenges in this field.