Collaborative Research: Understanding and Enhancement of Arsenic Hyperaccumulation by a Fern Plant

本研究的目的是了解蕨类植物对砷的吸收、转运、分布和解毒的机制。Brake蕨类植物对砷的吸收效率表明，这种植物用于修复受砷污染的土壤是经济有效的。本研究的重点是砷与钙、磷的元素相互作用、砷胁迫下植物的生化反应、利用分析、显微和光谱技术研究植物中砷的形态和特征，以及微生物-根-植物-砷的相互作用。利用砷添加土壤，研究不同砷浓度土壤中生长的蕨类植物对砷的超富集特性。磷(增加砷的有效性，但与砷的吸收竞争)和钙(增加植物对砷的吸收和转运)对砷积累的影响，以及蕨类植物对砷升高(解毒)的生化反应将被研究。此外，还将探讨菌根真菌对促进蕨类植物积累砷的有益作用。这是佛罗里达大学(0132089)和西北大学(0132114)的合作研究项目。这两个奖项是根据2001-STAR-C1植物修复联合计划(EPA、NSF、ONR、SERDP)颁发的。

0132114GaillardThe objective of this research is to understand the mechanisms of arsenic uptake, translocation, distribution and detoxification by Brake fern. The efficiency of arsenic uptake by Brake fern suggests the cost-effective use of this plant for the remediation of arsenic contaminated soils. This research focuses on elemental interactions of arsenic with calcium and phosphorus, plant biochemical responses under arsenic stresses, speciation and characterization of arsenic in the plant using analytical, microscopic and spectroscopic techniques, and microbe-root-plant-arsenic interactions. Arsenic hyperaccumulation characteristics in Brake fern growing in soils of different arsenic concentrations will be investigated using arsenic spiked soils. The impacts of P (increases arsenic availability yet competes with arsenic uptake) and Ca (increases plant arsenic uptake and translocation) on arsenic accumulation, and biochemical responses of Brake fern to elevated arsenic (detoxification) will be examined. Also, the beneficial effects of mycorrhizal fungi for enhancing arsenic accumulation by Brake fern will be explored. This is a collaborative research project between the University of Florida (0132089) and Northwestern University (0132114). These two awards were made pursuant to the Joint Program on Phytoremediation, 2001-STAR-C1 (EPA, NSF, ONR, SERDP).