Elevated uptake of Th and U by netted chain fern (Woodwardia areolata)

We assessed the ability of netted chain fern (Woodwardia areolata) to uptake U and Th from wetland soils on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site in South Carolina. Netted chain fern had the highest Th and U concentrations of all plants collected from the wetland. Ferns grown in contaminated soil (329 mg·kg⁻¹ Th, 44 mg·kg⁻¹ U) in a greenhouse contained 6.4 mg·kg⁻¹ Th and 5.3 mg·kg⁻¹ U compared with 0.13 mg·kg⁻¹ Th and 0.035 mg·kg⁻¹ U in Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon). Netted chain fern has potential for the phytoremediation of soils contaminated with Th and U.