Arsenic Toxicity in the Irrigation Water-Soil-Plant System: A Significant Environmental Problem

Environmental pollution is a major global concern. When sources of water pollution are enumerated, agriculture is, with increasing frequency, listed as a major contributor. One of the major factors determining uptake and toxicity to plants is the form of arsenic (As). Naturally occurring arsenic in groundwater of sedimentary aquifer has emerged as a global problem, and issue of major environmental concern. It is released and contaminated in agricultural soil by natural weathering, industrial production and mining. However, the same water resources are used extensively for irrigation purposes throughout the region. The two most important forms, As (V) and As (III), are taken up by completely different mechanisms. Uptake, accumulation and toxicity vary within and between plant species. In general, more As in the soil leads to higher concentrations in plants, but this depends on many factors. It is recommended to initiate an integrated program to quantify the scale of the problem in combination with the development of a water-soil-plant quality monitoring system for land degradation in agro-ecosystems. This should not only include As, but a range of physical, chemical (nutrients and contaminants) and biological parameters. Further, management options to prevent and mitigate As contamination need to be explored. [Hossein Banejad, Ehsan Olyaie. Arsenic Toxicity in the Irrigation Water-Plant Environment: A Significant Environmental Problem. Journal of American Science 2011;7(1):125-131]. (ISSN: 1545-1003). http://www.americanscience.org.