Arsenic speciation, and arsenic and phosphate distribution in arsenic hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata L. and non-hyperaccumulator Pteris ensiformis L

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) 2006-05, Vol.141 (2), p.238-246
• Main Authors: Singh, Nandita, Ma, Lena Q.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Applied sciences; Arsenates - analysis; Arsenic; Arsenic - analysis; Arsenic - metabolism; Arsenites - analysis; bioaccumulation; Biological and medical sciences; biological resistance; Biomass; Biotechnology; chemical speciation; Decontamination. Miscellaneous; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on plants and fungi; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environment and pollution; Exact sciences and technology; ferns and fern allies; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Herbicides - analysis; hyperaccumulators; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Miscellaneous; Phosphate; phosphates; Phosphates - analysis; phosphorus; Phosphorus - analysis; Plant Roots - chemistry; Plant Shoots - chemistry; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Pteris - chemistry; Pteris ensiformis; Pteris vittata; Soil and sediments pollution; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Soil Pollutants - metabolism; soil pollution; Speciation; Species Specificity; Teratogens - analysis; Tissue Distribution; Translocation; translocation (plant physiology); Uptake
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2005.08.050

This study examined the roles of arsenic translocation and reduction, and P distribution in arsenic detoxification of Pteris vittata L. (Chinese Brake fern), an arsenic hyperaccumulator and Pteris ensiformis L. (Slender Brake fern), a non-arsenic hyperaccumulator. After growing in 20% Hoagland solution containing 0, 133 or 267 μM of sodium arsenate for 1, 5 or 10 d, the plants were separated into fronds, rhizomes, and roots. They were analyzed for biomass, and concentrations of arsenate (AsV), arsenite (AsIII) and phosphorus. Arsenic in the fronds of P. vittata was up to 20 times greater than that of P. ensiformis, yet showing no toxicity symptoms as did in P. ensiformis. While arsenic was concentrated primarily in the fronds of P. vittata as arsenite it was mainly concentrated in the roots of P. ensiformis as arsenate. Arsenic reduction in the plants took longer than 1-d. P. vittata maintained greater P in the roots while P. ensiformis in the fronds. The high arsenic tolerance of the hyperaccumulator P. vittata may be attributed to its ability to effectively reduce arsenate to arsenite in the fronds, translocate arsenic from the roots to fronds, and maintain a greater ratio of P/As in the roots. Pteris vittata may effectively reduce arsenite in its fronds.