Soil contamination by heavy metals and metalloids is a serious problem which needs to be addressed. There are several methods for removal of contaminants, but they are costly, while the method of phytoremediation is eco-friendly and cost-effective. Pteridophytes have been found to remediate heavy metal-contaminated soil. Pteridophytes are non-flowering plant that reproduces by spores. Pteris vittata has been reported as the first fern plant to hyperaccumulate arsenic. The Pteris species belongs to the order Pteridales. Other ferns that are known phytoremediators are, for example, Nephrolepis cordifolia and Hypolepis muelleri (identified as phytostabilisers of Cu, Pb, Zn and Ni); similarly Pteris umbrosa and Pteris cretica accumulate arsenic in leaves. So, pteridophytes have a number of species that accumulate contaminants. Many of them have been identified, while various other are being explored. The present review article describes the phytoremediation potential of pteridophytes plants and suggests as a potential asset for phytoremediation programs.
Keywords: Adaptive strategy; Economic return; Fern; Heavy metal-contaminated soil.