Effect of long-term fertilization on total soil arsenic in China

To assess the effects of long-term fertilization on arsenic (As) accumulation in soils and crops with different agricultural practices, five experimental stations (Changshu, Taoyuan, Hailun, Fengqiu, and Qiyang) with long-term fertilization practices, representing five typical soils of China, were selected to investigate the soil As concentrations. Results indicated that the geological source, that is, parent materials, played a dominant role in determining the soil As concentrations. Long-term application of manure and phosphorus fertilizers led to a decrease of As concentration in the surface paddy soil at Taoyuan, while the effects of fertilization on As concentration in other samples were minimal. In addition, other agricultural practices, such as the removal of crop biomass, reduced the As concentrations in the surface soils with low levels of soil As (Fengqiu, Changshu, and Taoyuan). In the upland soils with higher As concentrations, wheat may have risk to human health through food-chain and maize can be considered as a favorable crop.