From Contamination to Beautification: Ferns Remove Arsenic from Soil for Students Introduction

INTRODUCTION Arsenic is a chemical element that has the symbol As. Arsenic is widely distributed in nature and is associated with the ores of metals such as gold, lead, and copper. Arsenic also enters the environment through human activities, as arsenic is often used in pesticides, dyes, and chemical weapons. The arsenic compound chromated copper arsenate (CCA) has also been used as a wood preservative. At high doses, arsenic is a poison to humans and other animals which can cause death, and at lower doses over a longer time, it can also cause cancer. Arsenic contamination of soil and water is thus an environmental health issue.