ARTUS, NANCY* and JEN LEASA. Biology Department, West Chester University, West Chester, PA 19383. - Effect of arsenate treatment on growth and arsenic accumulation in four high-biomass members of the Brassicaceae.
Phytoremediation may serve as a cost-effective means to reduce the
levels of toxic elements in contaminated soils. The ability of four
members of the Brassicaceae, Brassica juncea, Brassica carinata,
Brassica nigra and Crambe abyssinca, to tolerate and
accumulate arsenic was examined. Plants grown hydroponically were
treated with 10 or 20 mg/ L arsenate for two weeks. Plant growth,
development of toxicity symptoms and tissue levels of arsenic were
examined. All four species exhibited a reduction in growth relative to
controls when treated with 20 mg/L As, but lacked severe toxicity
symptoms. Arsenic accumulation in leaves ranged from 15+0.5
mg/dry g (B. carinata) to
82+28 mg/dry g (C.
abyssinica) after a two-week treatment with 10 ppm arsenate. C.
abyssinica shows the greatest potential for use in the
phytoremediation of arsenic.
Key words: arsenic, Brassica, Brassicaceae, Crambe abyssinica, phytoremediation