Pteris vittata is the first plant reported to be a hyperaccumulator of arsenic (As). This plant is known for its ability to accumulate high levels of As in the aboveground tissues, which is only possible due to an effective detoxification mechanism in this plant. However, the mechanisms of As hyperaccumulation in this plant has not yet been fully deciphered. Proposed mechanisms of detoxification include possible sequestration of As in the vacuoles, thus protecting tissues vital for plant metabolism, and/or rapid translocation of  As to aboveground tissues followed by reduction of arsenate to arsenite. In this study, attempt was made to verify both these proposed mechanisms. Pteris vittata plants were grown in half strength Hoagland nutrient solution under greenhouse conditions. After two weeks of acclimatization, Na₂HAsO₄ was added to the nutrient solution at four concentrations, 0, 250, 500 and 750 mg/L As(V). Plants were grown for three more weeks before collection of samples. The uptake and distribution of As in root and shoot was studied after acid digestion using USEPA method 3050A. Effect of As on growth and biomass of the plants was recorded. In addition, chlorophyll and low molecular weight thiol concentration was studied to determine the level of As phytotoxicity in the plants.  Effect of As on phosphate concentration in the shoot and roots was also studied. The speciation of As in root and shoot samples was done using HPLC-ICPMS. Arsenic was localized using Scanning Electron Microscopy.