The Dichotomy of the Journey of Arsenic from the Soil Uptake in Plants and Down into Water: A Review

Abstract

Arsenic is generally toxic to all forms of life, and therefore, its accumulation in the human body serves as one of the major paths in implicating human health. When plants are grown in arsenic-contaminated soils, accumulation of arsenic in grains or edible plant parts serves as channel into the food chain leading to biological magnification of arsenic in the human body. Water from the tap and boreholes as well as soils in certain regions contain high levels of arsenic. Hence, human exposure to this element is mainly through drinking water contaminated with arsenic leading to cancer, diseases of the skin, respiratory and immune system, and genetic disorder among other serious health problems. The highest arsenic allowable level in water is 10 μg/L according to the World Health Organization guideline on drinking water quality. However, the current increase in arsenic concentrations in water and soil is a great public health concern. This chapter seeks to describe sources of arsenic, its uptake in plants, movement in water, and the implication on human health.