title: Arsenic: A Review of the Element's Toxicity, Plant Interactions, and Potential Methods of Remediation.
abstract: Arsenic is a naturally occurring element with a long history of toxicity. Sites of contamination are found worldwide as a result of both natural processes and anthropogenic activities. The broad scope of arsenic toxicity to humans and its unique interaction with the environment have led to extensive research into its physicochemical properties and toxic behavior in biological systems. The purpose of this review is to compile the results of recent studies concerning the metalloid and consider the chemical and physical properties of arsenic in the broad context of human toxicity and phytoremediation. Areas of focus include arsenic's mechanisms of human toxicity, interaction with plant systems, potential methods of remediation, and protocols for the determination of metals in experimentation. This assessment of the literature indicates that controlling contamination of water sources and plants through effective remediation and management is essential to successfully addressing the problems of arsenic toxicity and contamination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH), Texas Tech University, 1207 Gilbert Drive, Box 41163, Lubbock, Texas 79409-1163, United States.
authors.forename: Bryan E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Hettick
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH), Texas Tech University, 1207 Gilbert Drive, Box 41163, Lubbock, Texas 79409-1163, United States.
authors.forename: Jaclyn E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Cañas-Carrell
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH), Texas Tech University, 1207 Gilbert Drive, Box 41163, Lubbock, Texas 79409-1163, United States.
authors.forename: Amanda D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: French
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH), Texas Tech University, 1207 Gilbert Drive, Box 41163, Lubbock, Texas 79409-1163, United States.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Klein
mesh_terms: D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D001151:Arsenic
keywords: arsenic mechanism; arsenic toxicity; environmental contamination; human health; metal determination protocols; phytoremediation; plant interaction; remediation