A Review of Pteridophyta Potential in Phytoremediation of Heavy Metal Contaminated Environments

Pteridophyta are vascular plants(plants with xylem and phloem) that reproduce and disperse via spores. In evolution,pteridophyta lie between bryophyta and spermatophyta. Pteridophyta have unique ecological characteristics of high environmental adaptation and barren resistance. Some varieties of pteridophyta have ability of excessive absorption and accumulation of heavy metals such as arsenic(As) and antimony(Sb). Besides,pteridophyta have excellent performance in absorbing such heavy metals as cadmium(Cd),lead(Pb),copper(Cu),and nickel(Ni),and rare earth elements. In this paper,a review was made for application,mechanism,and advantages of pteridophyta in remediation of heavy metal contaminated environments,and prospect and possible research fields of pteridophyta in phytoremediation were discussed.