Observation of Arsenic Transfer in Leaf Tissue of Hyperaccumulator Fern by Utilizing Synchrotron Radiation Micro-XRF Imaging

We have directly observed the early process of arsenic transfer in the leaf tissue of hyperaccumulator fern (Pteris vittata L.) within 12 h after the arsenic feeding, by utilizing a synchrotron radiation micro-XRF imaging. This study visually revealed for the first time that arsenic transferred from the root to the marginal part of the leaf within 1 h after feeding. Arsenic accumulated in the region of the vascular bundle and transferred to the paraphysis prior to the sporangium.