Uptake of arsenic by Aster tripolium in relation to rhizosphere oxidation

Abstract

Arsenic present in salt marsh soil is taken up by plants and subsequently transferred to other parts of the ecosystem. The reduced state of the bulk soil of salt marshes favours the mobility of arsenic. In the rhizosphere of plants however, arsenic may be immobilized owing to oxidation of arsenic (III) to less mobile arsenic (V) and adsorption to iron (hydr-)oxides. In a field survey iron concentrations in the vicinity of roots of Aster tripolium were higher than in the bulk soil. In a greenhouse experiment accumulation of arsenic and iron in the rhizosphere occurred, which could be due to the oxidizing activity of plant roots and (or) microorganisms. This process stimulates uptake of arsenic by salt marsh plants. The formation of an iron plaque seems to play an important role in the uptake of arsenic by salt marsh plants, as was indicated by an incubation experiment with root parts of A. tripolium. The results of the experiments indicate that iron plays a key factor in determining the mobility of arsenic in salt marsh soils and in the uptake and translocation processes in the plants. Although oxidation processes in the rhizosphere enhance uptake of arsenic, it may be an important detoxification mechanism for the plants. Key words: arsenic, Aster tripolium, iron, rhizosphere, salt marsh.