A comparative study of arsenic accumulation in agricultural fields

Abstract

A study has been carried out to determine the fate of Arsenic (As) supplied to agriculture fields (through contaminated irrigation water), and the relationship between As accumulation in agriculture soils and the crop pattern. A paddy and a wheat cultivating agriculture field irrigated by contaminated water having As concentration of 137 μg/L and 67.3 μg/L were selected. Results clearly indicate that in comparison to wheat field though higher quality of contaminated water was used in paddy field but still paddy field soils show lesser As accumulation. Such an accumulation indicate the existence of an effective As removal mechanism in paddy soils. Absence of any such mechanism in wheat fields is responsible for build-up of As in wheat soils. Different harvesting methods applied in paddy and wheat cultivation are responsible for different accumulation of As in agriculture soils