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Phosphorus-arsenic interactions in variable-charge soils in relation to arsenic mobility and bioavailability
Nanthi Bolan1, Santiago Mahimairaja, Anitha Kunhikrishnan
1Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA, Australia; CRC for Contamination Assessment and Remediation in the Environment, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA, Australia.
The Science of the Total Environment
|May 4, 2013
Summary
Phosphorus (P) increases arsenic (As) desorption and bioavailability in soils, particularly in allophanic soils. While P can enhance As mobilization for phytoremediation, careful management is needed to prevent groundwater contamination.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Soil Science
- Plant Science
Background:
- Phosphorus (P) significantly influences arsenic (As) mobility and bioavailability in soils.
- Soil properties, especially variable charge components like those in allophanic soils, dictate the extent of P-As interactions.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for managing As contamination and its uptake by plants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of P on arsenate [As(V)] adsorption and desorption in allophanic and non-allophanic soils.
- To evaluate the effect of P on As bioavailability and uptake by Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) in various soil conditions.
- To explore the potential of P-induced As mobilization for phytoremediation strategies.
Main Methods:
- Examined As(V) adsorption-desorption in soils with varying anion adsorption capacities.
- Conducted solution culture and soil-plant growth experiments with As-spiked and field-contaminated soils.
- Assessed As uptake and translocation in Brassica juncea L. under different P concentrations and soil types.
Main Results:
- Increased P addition led to higher As desorption, especially in allophanic soils.
- P application enhanced As bioavailability in both As-spiked and field-contaminated soils.
- P competition reduced As uptake in solution culture but increased root-to-shoot translocation, with varying effects based on soil anion adsorption capacity.
Conclusions:
- P-induced As mobilization increases As bioavailability, with greater effects in high anion-adsorbing soils.
- The net effect of P on As phytoavailability is a balance between soil mobilization and plant uptake competition.
- P-induced As mobilization offers potential for phytoremediation, but requires careful management to mitigate leaching and off-site contamination.
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