Arsenic forms in phytoextraction of this metalloid in organs of 2-year-old Acer platanoides seedlings

The aim of the study was to estimate the significance of the role of arsenite (As(III)), arsenate (As(V)), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) presence in modified Knop medium in the efficiency of phytoextraction of arsenic (As) in Acer platanoides root, stem, and leaves. The addition of particular As forms in single, double, and triple experimental systems was associated with a lower increase of seedling biomass compared to control plants (system free of As forms addition). Depending on As forms and their concentration in solution, negative symptoms from slight visible changes (inorganic forms separately or jointly), through smaller and discolored leaves (after DMA addition), and finally to their withering (after high DMA addition) were observed. Changes of color and shape for root systems exposed to particular As forms separately or jointly were also observed, in spite of the fact that there were no significant changes in biomass of seedlings growing in all experimental systems. The highest mean concentrations of As in root, stem, and leaves (590, 70, and 140 mg kg(−1) dry weight (DW), respectively) were observed in plants growing under different experimental systems. The highest bioconcentration factor values were 10.8 for plants exposed to 0.06 mM of As(III) and DMA, while the highest translocation factor (1.0) was recorded for plants growing under the same As forms (0.6 and 0.06 mM, respectively). The obtained results indicate that the presence of particular As forms not only determines As phytoextraction and transport of this metalloid form but also has a decisive influence on plant morphology and survivability. As regards the practical aspects of phytoremediation, the kind of As forms present in substrate are more important than their total concentration. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s11356-018-2739-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.