Arsenic occurrence in the environment: Current situation of the Comarca Lagunera in northern Mexico and bioremediation approaches

Abstract

Arsenic (As) is a metalloid present in the hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere that at high concentrations causes toxicity in organisms through complex mechanisms. Moreover, the main As sources in ecosystems are both natural and anthropogenic, so it is difficult to avoid this contamination. Certain regions in the world have that characteristics and present high arsenic accumulation in soil, water, and sediments, producing toxicity in crops, livestock, and consequently, in human consumers. In Latin America, this phenomenon occurs in countries such as Chile, Argentina, and Mexico. This review describes the generalities of origin and distribution of arsenic, focusing on toxicity problems in crops that affect Comarca Lagunera in northern Mexico, which represents one of the main As-contaminated regions worldwide. Although some studies have been carried out to analyze and solve this problem, the available information remains scarce, especially about the prevalence of As in the food chain and how to address As contamination. Thus, this review includes biological alternatives of solutions such as bioremediation techniques using mycorrhizas and rhizobacteria such as plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and nitrogen-fixing bacteria in soils to mitigate the toxicity caused in crops and soils. • The Comarca Lagunera is the major arsenic hotspot in Mexico. • The high As-concentration in the region has a natural and anthropogenic origin. • There are few local studies about crop toxicity and As- translocation in the food chain. • Applying biofertilizers could be a green remediation tech.