Absorption and distribution of Arsenic by plants & role of soil conditions

Arsenic poisoning is a major health hazard affecting millions of people worldwide. Major contribution to arsenic contamination of soil is due to repeated use of fertilizers and pesticides. This results in higher amounts of arsenic in plants. We explored arsenic absorption by several different types of plants under different soil conditions such as presence of Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions in the soil. X-ray florescence spectroscopy (XFS) utilized to determine distribution of arsenic within a plant in different areas such as leaves, stem, and trunk. Chemical nature and association and possible association with iron ions were studied X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES). Arsenic K edges employed to study microstructure such as bonding properties of iron and arsenic within plants. Results indicate that presence of more Fe3+ in the soil facilitate arsenic absorption by plants.