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Assessment of Arsenic in the Water-soil-plant Systems in Gangetic Floodplains of Bangladesh

M.R. Islam
Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

M. Jahiruddin
Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

S. Islam
Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The levels of arsenic in irrigation waters (STW), soils and rice plants (grain and straw) in five districts viz., Pabna, Chapai Nawabganj, Rajbari, Faridpur and Gopalganj of the Gangetic floodplains of Bangladesh were assessed during the year 2001. The arsenic concentrations for all samples (soil, water, grain and straw) varied considerably between locations. Generally, the arsenic levels in soils and waters were higher in Rajbari and Faridpur compared to the other three districts. There was a good correlation between water-As and soil-As over the locations. None of the soils had arsenic level more than 20 μg g^-1 (the maximum acceptable limit for agricultural soils). About 16% grain samples had no detectable As and on the other hand 14% grains had As level more than 1 ppm. Comparing varietal effects, the grain As concentration in IR 8 and BRRI dhan 29 rice were higher in comparison with BRRI dhan 28 and Parija. There was no correlation between rice grain As and soil As content. The As concentrations were always lower in grain than in straw.

Keywords: Arsenic, STW water, Soil, Rice grain, Rice straw

Location: Pabna, Chapai Nawabganj, Rajbari, Faridpur and Gopalganj

Start Date: 00-00-2001

End Date: 00-00-2001

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Arsenic

Objectives:

To assess the arsenic in irrigation water-soil-rice plant systems in Gangetic floodplain of Bangladesh.

Methodology:

Thirty-five samples for each of irrigation water, soil and rice plant (grain and straw) were collected from five districts of Bangladesh viz., Pabna, Chapai Nawabganj, Rajbari, Faridpur and Gopalganj during boro season of 2001. The sampling areas belong to two major AEZs: High Ganges River Floodplain (AEZ11) and Low Ganges River Floodplain (AEZ 12). Water samples were collected from shallow tube-wells exclusively, after 10-15 min of operation. The samples were taken in 100 mL plastic bottles previously washed with acid followed by rinse with respective STW water. Three milliliter of 6 M HCl was added to each bottle to arrest the microbial growth and to prevent precipitation of metals (Fe, Al, etc.). The water samples were brought to the laboratory and kept in the refrigerator until analysis by AAS. Soil samples at 0-15 cm depth were collected from adjacent rice fields of the STW. Five soil samples were randomly taken to make a composite sample and kept in a polythene bag for each site. Then, the soil samples were dried in the air, ground and passed through a 2 mm sieve and finally stored in plastic pots. The soils were analysed for texture, organic matter, pH, available P, S, exchangeable K and Ca contents along with arsenic. Ten rice plants at maturity of the crop were collected at random from each field site. Then, the grain and straw samples were separated and stored in the polythene bags. Plant samples were dried for 72 h at 65°C in oven. Husks were removed from the rice grains. The samples were finely ground and stored for chemical analysis. The As content in soil, rice grain and straw was determined by digesting the sample with di-acid mixture followed by flow injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectrophotometer with Perkin-Elmer model 2380 and MHS-10 hydride generator assembly using matrix-matching standard.

Source of Information: Asian Journal of Plant Sciences 3(4): 489-493, 2004 (ISSN 1682-3974)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The results from the aforesaid discussion and findings, it can be concluded that the arsenic status in all the selected soils were quite low. But irrigating the rice crops with elevated As concentration may lead to the accumulation of As in soils as well as uptake the by the crops. There was no correlation between the soil-As and As concentration in rice grain indicating that future research is needed on the bio-availability of As for rice crops.

Knowledge Management: Journal