Assessing Plants for Phytoremediation of Arsenic-Contaminated Soils

Arsenic (As) is a pollutant of major concern throughout the world, and causes serious environmental problems in many areas including, for example, West Bengal, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. Phytoremediation is potentially a cost-effective and environmentally benign method of extracting pollutants from soils for which there have been significant recent advances for As. In particular, the discovery of As-hyperaccumulating ferns and on-going research into their biochemistry, ecology, and agronomy are rapidly increasing their potential utility for phytoextraction of As. Here, we review the latest research into (1) the biochemistry of As in plants, (2) plant hyperaccumulation of inorganics including As, (3) the phenomenon of As hyperaccumulation in ferns, and (4) the enhancement of As phytoavailability. We conclude by identifying some technical barriers that need to be overcome to fulfill the great potential for phytoextraction of As from soils.