Metal Tolerance, Accumulation, and Detoxification in Plants with Emphasis on Arsenic in Terrestrial Plants

Abstract

A number of review articles have appeared in the literature recently on metal accumulation by plants. However, reports on the tolerance, accumulation and detoxification of arsenic in plants, especially in terrestrial plants, are limited. In light of the strong needs for study of arsenic biogeochemistry and development of arsenic decontamination techniques, in this paper we. review arsenic uptake, accumulation, and detoxification mechanisms in terrestrial plants. In order to discuss the processes involved in arsenic accumulation, we will first provide a brief review on the general understanding about the mechanisms of metal tolerance in plants. We will also discuss the arsenic hyperaccumulators that were recently discovered.