Arsenic Accumulation and Tolerance of Cytisus scoparius Under Controlled Conditions

Cytisus scoparius is a native leguminous species which grows at a derelict arsenopyrite mine in NW Madrid, Spain. Among the species found in the area surrounding the mine, this plant has shown one of the highest arsenic bioaccumulation factors. For this reason, alongside with its ability to grow in a contaminated area and its high biomass, it was selected for an arsenate dose-response assay under controlled conditions in order to evaluate its potential resistance to arsenic. C. scoparius accumulated arsenic mainly in roots, and this had a negative effect on root phosphorous concentration. Stress indicators, such as glutathione and synthesis of phytochelatins, and the lack of evidence of an increase in malondialdehyde when arsenate was supplied indicate that C. scoparius has a certain resistance to arsenic. According to our results, C. scoparius would be a good candidate to revegetate arsenic-contaminated sites.