Plants in floodplain soil accumulate arsenic around their roots

Abstract

How do plants affect the distribution of arsenic (As) in a contaminated floodplain soil? To answer this question, we combined synchrotron-based analyses with field and laboratory observations. In periodically flooded soils, iron (Fe) enrichments form around plant roots. Our results demonstrate that a substantial fraction of soil As may be accumulated in these Fe-enrichments. This process likely reduces the leaching of As during periods of soil flooding.