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Published on: October 29, 2021
Zinc-arsenic interactions in soil: Solubility, toxicity and uptake
Mohammed Kader1, Dane T Lamb1, Liang Wang1
1Global Centre for Environmental Research (GCER), Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Advanced Technology Building, NSW 2308, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), Advanced Technology Building, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
Zinc (Zn) reduced arsenic (As) solubility in soils, but As uptake was unaffected. Toxicity responses were additive, except in acidic soils where they were synergistic, necessitating caution in risk assessments for As-Zn mixtures.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Soil Science
- Ecotoxicology
Background:
- Arsenic (As) and zinc (Zn) are prevalent co-contaminants in mining-affected soils.
- Understanding their interactions in soil-solution, bioaccumulation, and toxicity is crucial for environmental risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interactive effects of co-contaminating arsenic and zinc on cucumber (Cucumis sativa L).
- To determine impacts on solubility, plant uptake, and toxicity in various soil types.
Main Methods:
- A 4-week pot study was conducted using five different soils.
- Soils were spiked with varying concentrations of As and two phytotoxic doses of Zn.
- Soil-solution, shoot bioaccumulation, and plant toxicity were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Zinc significantly reduced As pore-water concentration across all soils.
- Zn and Zn2+ activity decreased in pore-water of alkaline soils.
- As did not significantly affect As uptake, but As reduced Zn uptake.
- Toxicity responses were predominantly additive, except in acidic MG soil where synergistic effects were observed.
Conclusions:
- Zinc presence alters arsenic solubility and mobility in soils.
- Synergistic toxicity of As-Zn mixtures in acidic soils requires specific risk assessment considerations.
- Current risk assessment protocols may underestimate combined As-Zn toxicity in certain soil conditions.
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