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Effects of phosphate and thiosulphate on arsenic accumulation in the species Brassica juncea

Environmental Science and Pollution Research volume 22, pages 2423–2433 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

Arsenic (As) is recognized as a toxic pollutant in soils of many countries. Since phosphorus (P) and sulphur (S) can influence arsenic mobility and bioavailability, as well as the plant tolerance to As, phytoremediation techniques employed to clean-up As-contaminated areas should consider the interaction between As and these two nutrients. In this study, the bioavailability and accumulation of arsenate in the species Brassica juncea were compared between soil system and hydroponics in relation to P and S concentration of the growth substrate. In one case, plants were grown in pots filled with soil containing 878 mg As kg−1. The addition of P to soil resulted in increased As desorption and significantly higher As accumulation in plants, with no effect on growth. The absence of toxic effects on plants was likely due to high S in soil, which could efficiently mitigate metal toxicity. In the hydroponic experiment, plants were grown with different combinations of As (0 or 100 μM) and P (56 or 112 μM). S at 400 μM was also added to the nutrient solution of control (−As) and As-treated plants, either individually or in combination with P. The addition of P reduced As uptake by plants, while high S resulted in higher As accumulation and lower P content. These results suggest that S can influence the interaction between P and As for the uptake by plants. The combined increase of P and S in the nutrient solution did not lead to higher accumulation of As, but enhanced As translocation from the root to the shoot. This aspect is of relevance for the phytoremediation of As-contaminated sites.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Irene Rosellini for her skillful technical assistance in soil and plant analysis.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animal and Environment, University of Padova, Agripolis—Viale dell’Università, 16, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy

    Martina Grifoni, Michela Schiavon & Mario Malagoli

  2. CNR, Institute of Ecosystem Study—Via Moruzzi, 56124, Pisa, Italy

    Martina Grifoni, Beatrice Pezzarossa & Gianniantonio Petruzzelli

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  1. Martina Grifoni
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  2. Michela Schiavon
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  3. Beatrice Pezzarossa
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  4. Gianniantonio Petruzzelli
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  5. Mario Malagoli
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Correspondence to Mario Malagoli.

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Grifoni, M., Schiavon, M., Pezzarossa, B. et al. Effects of phosphate and thiosulphate on arsenic accumulation in the species Brassica juncea . Environ Sci Pollut Res 22, 2423–2433 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-2811-1

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Keywords

  • Phytoextraction
  • Arsenic
  • Phosphorus
  • Sulfur
  • Pot experiment
  • Hydroponics