Assisted phytoremediation of fly ash dumps through naturally colonized plants

•Increasing the chain of fly ash (FA) dumps is a major concern world-wide.•Assisted phytoremediation is the need of present and future.•Research gaps for assisted phytoremediation are outlined.•Assisted phytoremediation must be applied for FA dumps’ management.•Invader plant species with perennial nature of FA dumps must be scrutinized globally.

The present article briefly describes a strategy regarding the remediation and management of fly ash (FA) dumps to mitigate all environmental problems of FA hazards. The onsite remediation of FA dumps through phytoremediation is still a critical challenge due to unfavorable conditions of ash deposit which inhibit plant establishment and growth. However, some naturally growing plant species colonize FA dumps as sparse cover, and rest areas of FA dumps are still naked in absence of vegetation. The entire FA dumps can be covered by “assisted phytoremediation” through naturally colonized plant species on ash disposal sites for FA dumps’ management.