Arsenic uptake and phytoremediation potential by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Abstract

Arsenic (As) contamination of soils and water is a global problem because of its impacts on ecosystems and human health. Various approaches have been attempted for As remediation, with limited success. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi play vital roles in the uptake of water and essential nutrients, especially phosphorus (P), and hence enhance plant performance and productivity (Smith and Read 2008). As uptake and tolerance to As toxicity in plants are also enhanced by AM fungi (Zhao et al. 2009; Smith et al. 2010; Gonzalez-Chavez et al. 2011). The use of AM fungi has thus been proposed as a potential contributor to enhance plant As uptake and accumulation and to develop plant-based As remediation. Here, we review the problem of As toxicity in terrestrial ecosystems and human health, examine the recent progress in understanding the roles of AM fungi in plant As tolerance and accumulation, and explore the promise and challenges of using AM fungi as phytoremediation approaches to tackle this environmental problem.

Citation

He, Xinhua; Lilleskov, Erik. 2014. Arsenic uptake and phytoremediation potential by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. In: Solaiman, Zakaria; Abbot, Lynette K.; Varma, Ajit, eds. Mycorrhizal fungi: use in sustainable agriculture and land restoration. Soil Biology. 41: 259-275. Chapter 16. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-45370-4_16.