Arsenic biomonitoring using a hyperaccumulator fern (Pteris vittata).
Samples of Pteris vittata L. (brake fern or ladder brake) collected in Genova and in areas outside urban centres, have been analysed for arsenic content in order to assess if hyper accumulating plants are suitable for monitoring purposes. Hyper accumulation ability of the Ligurian fern populations was evaluated by analysing specimens grown with hydroponic media added with As(v). Arsenic concentrations in the range 2-310 microg g(-1) dry weight have been measured in samples collected in different sites along the Ligurian coast. Arsenic concentrations in fern fronds correlate with the estimated arsenic emission in the area, verifying the applicability of P. vittata as an arsenic biomonitor.
Minganti
Vincenzo
V
Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie Farmaceutiche ed Alimentari, Università di Genova, Via Brigata Salerno, 16147 Genova, Italy. minganti@dictfa.unige.it
Cornara
Laura
L
Piana
Massimo
M
Corallo
Antonio
A
Mariotti
Mauro Giorgio
MG
D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D029624:Ferns / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D001151:Arsenic