Arsenic dynamics in the rhizosphere and its sequestration on rice roots as affected by root oxidation

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of root oxidation on arsenic （As） dynamics in the rhizosphere and As sequestration on rice roots. There were significant differences （P 〈 0.05） in pH values between rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils, with pH 5.68-6.16 in the rhizosphere and 6.30-6.37 in non-rhizosphere soils as well as differences in redox potentials （P 〈 0.05）. Percentage arsenite was lower （4%-16%） in rhizosphere soil solutions from rice genotypes with higher radial oxygen loss （ROL） compared with genotypes with lower ROL （P 〈 0.05）. Arsenic concentrations in iron plaque and rice straw were significantly negatively correlated （R = -0.60, P 〈 0.05）. Genotypes with higher ROL （TD71 and Yinjingmanzhau） had significantly （P 〈 0.001） lower total As in rice grains （1.35 and 0.96 mg/kg, respectively） compared with genotypes with lower ROL （IAPAR9, 1.68 mg/kg; Nanyangzhan 2.24 mg/kg） in the As treatment, as well as lower inorganic As （P 〈 0.05）. The present study showed that genotypes with higher ROL could oxidize more arsenite in rhizosphere soils, and induce more Fe plaque formation, which subsequently sequestered more As. This reduced As uptake in aboveground plant tissues and also reduced inorganic As accumulation in rice grains. The study has contributed to further understanding the mechanisms whereby ROL influences As uptake and accumulation in rice.

Remediation of arsenic-contaminated paddy field by a new iron oxidizing strain(Ochrobactrum sp.)and iron-modified biochar

Iron-oxidizing strain(FeOB)and iron modified biochars have been shown arsenic(As)reme-diation ability in the environment.However,due to the complicated soil environment,few field experiment has been conducted.The study was conducted to investigate the potential of iron modified biochar(BC-FeOS)and biomineralization by a new found FeOB to remediate As-contaminated paddy field.Compared with the control,the As contents of G_(B)(BC-FeOS),G_(F)(FeOB),G_(FN)(FeOB and nitrogen fertilizer),G_(BF)(BC-FeOS and FeOB)and G_(BFN)(BC-FeOS,FeOB and nitrogen fertilizer)treatments in pore water decreased by 36.53%-80.03%and the microbial richness of iron-oxidizing bacteria in these treatments increased in soils at the rice maturation stage.The concentrations of available As of G_(B),G_(F),G_(FN),G_(BF) and G_(BFN) at the tillering stage were significantly decreased by 10.78%-55.48%.The concentrations of non-specifically absorbed and specifically absorbed As fractions of G_(B),G_(F),G_(FN),G_(BF) and G_(BFN) in soils were decreased and the amorphous and poorly crystalline hydrated Fe and Al oxidebound fraction was increased.Moreover,the As contents of G_(B),G_(F),G_(FN),G_(BF) and G_(BFN) in rice grains were significantly decreased(*P<0.05)and the total As contents of G_(FN),G_(BF) and G_(BFN) were lower than the standard limit of the National Standard for Food Safety(GB 2762-2017).Compared with the other treatments,G_(BFN) showed the greatest potential for the effective remediation of As-contaminated paddy fields.