Critical Perspectives on Soil Geochemical Properties Limiting Arsenic Phytoextraction with Hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata

Arsenic is a metalloid widely distributed in the environment and of global concern for human health. In promising breakthrough sustainable arsenic soil remediation, fern, Pteris vittata L., was discovered to take up from accumulate it its fronds at ~100 times concentrations. Successively harvesting removes, or phytoextracts, with potential environmental economic benefits including low site disturbance cost. The practical use P. remediation faces challenges largely stemming complex nature soil. Here, we review geochemical processes governing transport roots arsenic-hyperaccumulating ferns. We find that phytoextraction soil-dependent process, but key attributes texture are often not reported. show rhizosphere play crucial role phytoextraction, nutrient management most successful ecologically based approaches sparingly soluble forms. conclude multi-scale ecological approach needed validate behavior across controlled field conditions, movement between soil, water, plant compartments. Our synthesis suggests as currently practiced limited soils concentrations cultivation climate-limited zone smaller than range wild species.