POTENTIAL OF PTERIDOPHYTES IN HEAVY METAL PHYTOREMEDIATION

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution of water and soil is becoming a common global environmental problem as a result of mining, industrial, military and agricultural activities. Plants and animals are highly susceptible to heavy metal poisoning at high levels beyond its permissible limits. Conventional processes employed are ineffective on some metals; a few others are extremely expensive and affect the soil fertility. Hence, research has led to the discovery of various plants worldwide, which have been identified to be hyperaccumulators of various heavy metals. The discovery of Pteris vittata, exhibiting normal growth in a chromate copper arsenate made it an interesting research candidate for phytoremediation. Ferns do not play any direct role in the food chain. In addition, they do not have any commercial application. Easy reproduction, rapid growth, wide range habitats and evolutionary traits of heavy metal tolerance should be exploited. Hence, both terrestrial and aquatic ferns should be considered for application in phytoremediation/ biosorption.