Phytoremediation of Arsenic-Contaminated Groundwater by the Arsenic Hyperaccumulating FernPteris vittataL.

Abstract

Arsenic concentrations in a much larger fraction of U.S. groundwater sources will exceed the maximum contaminant limit when the new 10 microg L(-1) EPA standard for drinking water takes effect in 2006. Thus, it is important to develop remediation technologies that can meet this new standard. Phytoremediation of arsenic-contaminated groundwater is a relatively new idea. In this research, an arsenic-hyperaccumulating fern, commonly known as Chinese Brake fern (Pteris vittata L.), was grown hydroponically to examine its effectiveness in arsenic removal from what is believed to be herbicide-contaminated groundwater. One plant grown in 600 mL of groundwater effectively reduced the arsenic concentration from 46 to less than 10 microg L(-1) in 3 days. Re-used plants continued to take up arsenic from the groundwater, albeit at a slower rate (from 46 to 20 microg L(-1) during the same time). Young fern plants were more efficient in removing arsenic than were older fern plants of similar size. The addition of a supplement of phosphate-free Hoagland nutrition to the groundwater had little effect on arsenic removal, but the addition of phosphate nutrition significantly reduced its arsenic affinity and, thus, inhibited the arsenic removal. This study suggested that Chinese Brake has some potential to remove arsenic from groundwater.

A Review on Heavy Metals (As, Pb, and Hg) Uptake by Plants through Phytoremediation

“…Root structure under field conditions differs from that under greenhouse condition [43]. The success of phytoremediation, more specifically phytoextraction, depends on a contaminant-specific hyperaccumulator [45]. Understanding mass balance analyses and the metabolic fate of pollutants in plants are the keys to proving the applicability of phytoremediation [46].…”

Multivariate analysis of elements in chinese brake fern as determined using neutron activation analysis

“…However, routine analysis of As with NAA for the determination of As contamination or screening for As hyperaccumulators is invalid. Numerous studies have confirmed the As-hyperaccumulation property of the Chinese brake fern; however, little is known about the correlation between As and other elements in this fern (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11). Two experiments reported that K increased and Ca decreased in the fronds of the Chinese brake fern when As was added to the pots (25,26).…”

“…Up to the present, there appears to be no cost-effective method for the in situ cleanup of Ascontaminated soils and groundwater. The Chinese brake fern (Pteris vittata L.) is a newly identified As hyperaccumulator and has proven potential in remediation of As contamination in soil and water (2)(3)(4). The fern has great ability for tolerance and accumulation of As; it can accumulate more than 1000 mg/kg As in its fronds when growing on the tailings with 23,400 mg/kg As in the field and soils spiked with 1500 mg/kg As in greenhouse conditions (5,6).…”

Phytoaccumulation Potential and Toxicity of Arsenic Ions by Eichhornia Crassipes in Hydroponic System

“…The best way of long term strategy for improving phytoextraction is to understand and exploit the biological processes involved in metal acquisition, transport and shoot accumulation. This is due to higher concentrations level of heavy metal ions have inhibitory effects on plant metabolic activity, alternatively reduced growth of plants, leaf necrosis and inhibits the plant physiology systems [8].…”

“…As it has a high growth-rate, fibrous root system and broad leaves along with tendency to tolerate high metal concentration, it is considered as an important species to be used in phytoremediation [4,5]. Some macrophytes are found to remove different concentrations of arsenic ions, which make them suitable to act as bio-monitors for metals, and have ability to act as biological filters of the aquatic environment [6][7][8][9]. Arsenic is one of the most significant and priority pollutant which is found in natural and anthropogenic processes like weathering, biological activity, geochemical reactions, volcanic eruption, smelting of non-ferrous metals and burning of fossil fuels [10].…”