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Reducing arsenic accumulation in rice grain through iron oxide amendment
Eric M Farrow1, Jianmin Wang1, Joel G Burken1
1Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, United States.
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
|April 26, 2015
Summary
Applying iron oxide to arsenic-contaminated soil and selecting resistant rice cultivars effectively reduce arsenic in rice grains. This strategy also impacts selenium accumulation.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Environmental Chemistry
- Plant Science
Background:
- Arsenic (As) contamination in agricultural soils poses a significant risk to food safety, particularly in rice production.
- Rice (Oryza sativa) is a staple food crop susceptible to accumulating toxic elements like arsenic from soil.
- Understanding the factors influencing arsenic uptake and accumulation in rice grains is crucial for mitigating health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of soil arsenic, phosphorus, and iron oxide on arsenic accumulation in rice grain.
- To evaluate the impact of these soil amendments and cultivar type on the accumulation of other trace elements, including selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo), and cadmium (Cd).
- To identify effective strategies for reducing arsenic accumulation in rice grains.
Main Methods:
- Investigated arsenic accumulation in rice grains using two contrasting cultivars: straighthead-resistant Zhe 733 and straighthead-susceptible Cocodrie.
- Monitored the grain accumulation of arsenic (As), selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo), and cadmium (Cd) under varying soil conditions.
- Applied iron oxide and phosphate amendments to assess their impact on trace element accumulation in rice grains.
Main Results:
- High soil-arsenic levels led to increased arsenic and selenium accumulation in rice grains.
- The resistant cultivar Zhe 733 exhibited significantly lower grain-arsenic levels compared to the susceptible cultivar Cocodrie.
- Iron oxide amendment effectively reduced grain-arsenic in both cultivars, while phosphate application primarily reduced grain-selenium in Zhe 733.
- Cultivar type significantly influenced the accumulation of all monitored trace elements in rice grains.
Conclusions:
- Applying iron oxide to arsenic-contaminated soils is a viable strategy to reduce arsenic uptake in rice.
- Selecting arsenic-resistant rice cultivars is essential for minimizing arsenic accumulation in grains.
- Integrated approaches, combining soil amendments with cultivar selection, offer the most effective means to ensure rice grain safety in contaminated environments.
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