Arsenic contamination of soils and agricultural plants through irrigation water in Nepal

This study monitored the influence of arsenic-contaminated irrigation water on alkaline soils and arsenic uptake in agricultural plants at field level. The arsenic concentrations in irrigation water ranges from <0.005 to 1.014 mg L−1 where the arsenic concentrations in the soils were measured from 6.1 to 16.7 mg As kg−1. The arsenic content in different parts of plants are found in the order of roots > shoots > leaves > edible parts. The mean arsenic content of edible plant material (dry weight) were found in the order of onion leaves (0.55 mg As kg−1) > onion bulb (0.45 mg As kg−1) > cauliflower (0.33 mg As kg−1) > rice (0.18 mg As kg−1) > brinjal (0.09 mg As kg−1) > potato (<0.01 mg As kg−1).