Arsenic concentrations in irrigation water, soil and selected vegetables in Bangladesh

Abstract

The effect of Arsenic (As) concentration in irrigation water on As accumulation in six selected vegetables grown during the dry season (December-May) in Bangladesh has been assessed. Three field sites were selected for the assessment, which included two As affected areas (Chandpur and Narayanganj) and one unaffected area (Bogra). The As concentrations in edible parts of the selected vegetables have been found to be strongly correlated with As concentrations in both irrigation water and root-soil. It appears that depending on the As concentration in irrigation water and quantity of vegetable consumption, the intake of As from vegetables could constitute an important part of the overall As intake for population living in the As affected areas of Bangladesh.