Phytoremediation of arsenic by two hyperaccumulators in a hydroponic environment

Phytofiltration involves the use of plants to remove toxic compounds from water. Arsenic is an element of considerable environmental and toxicological interest because of its potential deleterious effects upon human health. In this research, a laboratory-constructed hydroponic system was employed to characterize phytofiltration for the uptake of arsenic and macronutrients by two arsenic hyperaccumulators, Pteris cretica cv Mayii (Moonlight fern) and Pteris vittata (Chinese brake fern). Arsenic was shown to preferentially accumulate in the leaves and stems of P. cretica cv Mayii compared to roots. The amounts of the macronutrients calcium and phosphorous absorbed were compared for control plants (growth solution) and plants exposed to arsenic(III) (growth solution and arsenic(III)). Significant differences in the concentration levels of the macronutrients were observed in roots, stems, and leaves between the control and arsenic-exposed plants. The arsenic contents of entire P. vittata plants exposed to hydroponic solutions containing arsenic(III) and arsenic(V) were compared, and no significant difference was observed.