Arsenic uptake and accumulation in trees: Evaluating potential of dendroremediation for contaminated environments

Arsenic (As) contamination, resulting from both natural processes and intensive anthropogenic activities such as mining, and industrial waste disposal, poses a persistent global threat to environmental and human health. Conventional remediation methods are often costly, technically demanding, and ecologically disruptive. In contrast, dendroremediation – the use of trees for phytoremediation – offers a low-cost, sustainable, and ecosystem-friendly approach for mitigating As contamination in soil and groundwater. Understanding how much As trees can accumulate is critically important for evaluating their effectiveness in this emerging strategy.
This review synthesises current knowledge on the uptake, translocations, and detoxification of As in trees, with a focus on species known for their remediation potential, including Acer platanoides, A. pseudoplatanus, Betula pendula, Eucalyptus spp., Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis, and Tilia cordata. It explores species-specific differences in As accumulation capacities and translocation patterns, emphasising the roles of root sequestration, rhizospheric microbial interactions, and biochemical adaptations such as proline production, phytochelatin complexation, and vacuolar storage. The review also evaluates long-term As removal efficiency based on biomass estimates of mature specimens.
Finally, the review outlines future research priorities for enhancing remediation in post-industrial landscapes, especially those impacted by mining and solid waste. By bringing fundamental strategies, this work highlights the significant potential of trees to contribute to ecological restoration and soil formation in As-contaminated sites, positioning dendroremediation as a vital component in the frontier of sustainable land management.