The invention provides methods and compositions for trace element, particularly heavy metal phytoremediation, including plants which are genetically engineered to overexpress a sulfate assimilation pathway enzyme gene and thereby provide enhanced trace element accumulation. In various embodiments, the plants comprise the gene operably linked to a heterologous promoter, the plant is a member of the Brassicaceae family. In general, the methods comprise the steps of growing such plants in a medium such as soil or water comprising a trace element, under conditions wherein the gene is overexpressed, whereby the plant provides enhanced accumulation of the trace element, whereby the trace element content of the medium is decreased.