Effects of lead and zinc on arsenic accumulation in nonmetallicolous and metallicolous populations of pteris vittata L.

Although Pteris vittata L. can occur on arsenic (As)–contaminated soils and uncontaminated soils, variation in As accumulation among nonmetallicolous and metallicolous populations and impacts of heavy metals in soils on As accumulation in the nonmetallicolous and metallicolous populations have not been fully explored. Five populations of P. vittata were collected from different field sites, and sporelings (four or five fonds) were used to further investigate the pattern of As accumulation. The results of pot trials showed that three nonmetallicolous populations of P. vittata possessed an obviously greater growth rate than the two metallicolous populations. The nonmetallicolous populations also accumulated significantly greater (P < 0.05) As than the metallicolous populations, regardless of the presence or absence of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn). In addition, Pb and Zn in soils decreased As accumulation in P. vittata. The present results suggested that As removal can be greatly enhanced by the judicious selection of populations of P. vittata. Copyright © 2013 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.