How common is arsenic in soil?
How common is arsenic in soil?
United States arsenic residential soil limits, approximately 0.4- approximately 40 ppm, generally correspond to a one-in-one-million to a one-in-ten-thousand incremental cancer risk range via ingestion of or direct contact with contaminated residential soils.
How long does arsenic stay in soil?
(3) One estimate of the residence time for arsenic in soil is 9000 years. (2) Since arsenic is expected to remain in soil for centuries or longer, contaminated soil left at the site must be considered a potential source of exposure throughout this time frame.
Which plants remove arsenic from soil?
The Chinese brake fern (Pteris vittata)—which is indigenous to Asia, southern Europe, tropical Africa and Australia—has a unique ability: It can absorb high quantities of the toxic element arsenic from the soil and store the substance in its fronds without dying.
Do plants absorb arsenic from the soil?
Plants vary in the amount of arsenic they absorb from the soil and where they store arsenic. Some plants move arsenic from the roots to the leaves, while others absorb and store it in the roots only.
Is arsenic in soil natural?
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that is found in combination with either inorganic or organic substances to form many different compounds. Inorganic arsenic compounds are found in soils, sediments, and groundwater.
What happens to arsenic in soil?
Arsenic found in soil either naturally occurring or from anthropogenic releases forms insoluble complexes with iron, aluminum, and magnesium oxides found in soil surfaces, and in this form, arsenic is relatively immobile. Much of the arsenic will adsorb to particulate matter and sediment.
Do tomatoes absorb arsenic from the soil?
Some plants move arsenic from the roots to the leaves, while others absorb and store it in the roots only. Fruit-type vegetables such as tomatoes concentrate arsenic in the roots and very little arsenic is taken up in the edible portion of the plant.
What plant removes arsenic?
Can arsenic be absorbed by plants?
Arsenic is considered non-essential for plants and other organisms [2]. Arsenic uptake by plant species relies on its total concentration and, importantly, on the speciation of As in soil—which is thought to be dependent upon exchangeable (bioavailable) As concentration in soil [17,18,28].
What plant or animal may be eaten that may affect human arsenic exposure?
The highest levels of arsenic (in all forms) in foods can be found in seafood, rice, rice cereal (and other rice products), mushrooms, and poultry, although many other foods, including some fruit juices, can also contain arsenic.
Is there a target level for arsenic in Florida soil?
Yes. Florida Soil Cleanup Target Levels (SCTLs) for direct residential exposure are found in the Florida Administrative Code Chapter 62-777. The SCTL for arsenic in residential soil is 2.1 mg/kg.
Where does arsenic come from?
Measurable levels of arsenic can be found in soil and sand throughout the world. Some areas of the US contain high natural levels in rock which can lead to high levels in soil or water. The naturally occurring background levels of arsenic in Florida soil varies from 0.01 to 37.6 mg/kg.
What are the arsenic levels in the Wedgewood community?
The SCTL for arsenic in residential soil is 2.1 mg/kg. For the Wedgewood community, testing of arsenic levels at the four locations, plus the background site, ranged from 0.75-3.6 mg/kg. Elevated levels of naturally occurring arsenic have been well documented in Florida soils. Monitoring found no other contaminants.
Are there target levels for residential exposure in Florida?
Are there target levels for residential exposure in Florida? Yes. Florida Soil Cleanup Target Levels (SCTLs) for direct residential exposure are found in the Florida Administrative Code Chapter 62-777. The SCTL for arsenic in residential soil is 2.1 mg/kg.
