Analysis of arsenic bioavailability in contaminated soils.
The bioavailable arsenic (As) content of contaminated soils was determined by joint analyses of acid-soluble, total water-soluble, and biovailable As by using a luminescent bacterial sensor, Escherichia coli MC1061(pTOO31). According to the results of this study, a significant positive correlation was found between the concentration of total water-soluble As and the bioavailability of As. However, the bioavailability of As in soil varied between sampling sites and was not equal when compared to the concentration of total water-soluble As; bioavailable As was 3 to 77% of total water-soluble As in soil. Our experiments also showed that aging and sequestration of As occurs in contaminated soils and As compounds thus become progressively less bioavailable with time. As a consequence, the bioavailability and toxicity of As should be considered when evaluating the ecological risks of contaminated soils.
Turpeinen
Riina
R
Department of Ecological and Environmental Sciences. University of Helsinki, FIN-15140 Lahti, Finland. riina.turpeinen@helsinki.fi
Virta
Marko
M
Häggblom
Max M
MM
D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D001681:Biological Assay; D001682:Biological Availability; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004926:Escherichia coli; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D012995:Solubility; D014867:Water
D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014867:Water; D001151:Arsenic