First evidence of arsenic phytoremediation

Abstract

Since the mid-1990s, bioremediation of contaminated soils, groundwater and surface water has been addressed by a new technology – phytoremediation – involving plants and plant–microbe systems. The mechanisms responsible for plant tolerance to a broad spectrum of metals have been studied intensively to determine those characteristics that are essential for application to phytoremediation. However, there is not, as yet, an effective solution for the phytoremediation of arsenic, one of the most noxious metals to humans. Both soil and water arsenic toxicity continues to be reported in many countries. The most dramatic case was reported in Bangladesh, where groundwater concentrations of arsenic reach 2 mg l−1 1 Ullah, S.M. (1998) Arsenic contamination of groundwater and irrigated soils of Bangladesh. Abstract: International Conference on Arsenic Pollution of Groundwater in Bangladesh: Causes, Effects and Remedies, 8–12 February 1998, p. 133, Dhaka Community Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh 1Ullah, S.M. (1998) Arsenic contamination of groundwater and irrigated soils of Bangladesh. Abstract: International Conference on Arsenic Pollution of Groundwater in Bangladesh: Causes, Effects and Remedies, 8–12 February 1998, p. 133, Dhaka Community Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh; the World Health Organization's provisional guideline value for drinking water is only 0.01 mg l−1 (http://www.who.int/inf-fs/en/fact210.html). It is estimated that the high levels of arsenic in the drinking water will lead to 200 000–270 000 cancer-caused deaths in Bangladesh. Moreover, the use of contaminated irrigation water has led to soil levels of arsenic of ∼80 mg kg−1, which is tenfold higher than levels in soils considered non-contaminated. The consumption of produce from these regions could also be detrimental to living organisms. Agricultural zones facing this type of contamination need to act quickly to achieve safe levels of soil and water arsenic.