Effects of Chromate and Sulfate On Arsenic and Chromium Uptake and Translocation by Arsenic Hyperaccumulator Pteris Vittata L.

We investigated the effects of chromate and sulfate on the uptake and translocation of arsenic and chromium by the arsenic hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata L. P. vittata was grown in the presence of arsenate and chromate or sulfate at 0.05, 0.25 or 1.25 mM for two weeks in hydroponic system. P. vittata accumulated 4,598 and 1,159 mg kg^-1 As in the fronds and roots at 0.05 mM As; however, addition of 0.05 mM chromate significantly reduced As uptake and translocation, with their concentrations being reduced to 330 and 1,394 mg kg^-1 respectively.  P. vittata accumulated 234 and 12,631 mg kg^-1 Cr in the fronds and roots at 0.05 mM Cr; however, addition of 0.05 mM As significantly reduced Cr uptake and translocation, with their concentrations being reduced to 46 and 8,073 mg kg^-1 Cr.  P. vittata effectively took up Cr but was ineffective in Cr translocation. Unlike chromate and arsenate, addition of sulfate increased the uptake and translocation of both chromate and arsenate. The current experiment demonstrated that chromate and arsenate inhibited each other whereas sulfate enhanced uptake and translocation of both chromate and arsenate by P. vittata. Sponsored by CNPq, CAPES and FAPEMIG.