Arsenic Uptake in Homegrown Vegetables from Mining-Affected Soils Research Brief 219, Superfund Research Program, March 6, 3013, View Research Brief as PDF (749KB)
Arsenic uptake from soil into the edible portion of some plants presents a potential health hazard that may affect home gardeners near contaminated sites. By testing vegetables grown by local residents as well as those from a controlled greenhouse environment, Monica Ramirez-Andreotta, Ph.D., at the University of Arizona (UA) Superfund Research Program (SRP), found that the amount of arsenic accumulated in the edible portion of the plant in certain vegetable families is associated with the arsenic soil concentration. Arsenic is a semi-metal element that is naturally found in the earth’s soils and rocks. It is further released from industrial activities. Acute exposure to arsenic can lead to nausea, diarrhea, and numbness in hands and feet. Chronic low-level arsenic exposure has been linked to diabetes, hypopigmentation/hyperkeratosis, and a probable role in promoting cancer of the bladder, lung, skin, and prostate.
The Iron King Mine and Humboldt Smelter Superfund site, a previously operated mine and smelter in Arizona, contains large amounts of uncontrolled mine waste, called tailings, with elevated arsenic concentrations. Older mine tailings are prone to wind dispersion and water erosion, potentially elevating heavy metal concentrations in the soil in neighboring communities.
Ramirez-Andreotta, under the guidance of UA SRP Center Director Raina Maier, Ph.D., and Research Translation Director Mark Brusseau, Ph.D., recruited home gardeners in a community near the site to submit their soil, water, and vegetable samples to the UA SRP for analysis of arsenic concentrations. She also conducted a controlled greenhouse study to characterize the uptake of arsenic by different types of vegetables. All vegetables accumulated arsenic, ranging from 0.01 to 23.0 mg/kg dry weight. When combining the greenhouse and the home garden study, Ramirez-Andreotta observed a significant linear correlation between the amount of arsenic accumulated in the edible portion of the plant and the arsenic soil concentration for the Asteraceae (lettuce), Brassicaceae (radish, broccoli, kale, and cabbage), Amaranthaceae (beets, spinach, swiss chard), and Fabaceae (bean) families. The Asteraceae and Brassicaceae families were the top accumulators, concentrating more arsenic in their edible tissues than other families. Certain members of the Asteraceae and Brassicaceae families have been previously identified as hyperaccumulator plants, meaning they may have a genetic and physiological capacity to accumulate high amounts of metals.
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To learn more about this research, please refer to the following sources:
Ramirez-Andreotta, Monica, Mark L. Brusseau, Janick F. Artiola, and Raina M. Maier. 2013. A greenhouse and field-based study to determine the accumulation of arsenic in common homegrown vegetables grown in mining-affected soils. Science of the Total Environment. 443:299-306. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.10.095
[Refer also to:
Slide from 2005 EnCana drilling waste and frac fluid study at Suffield, Alberta
EnCana Drilling Waste Dumping on Food Land near Rosebud, Alberta
EnCana Heavy Drilling Waste Dumping on Food Land at Rosebud, Alberta
Photos of EnCana Waste Dumping and slide listing toxic metals: Ernst Presentations, 2013 Ireland and UK Tour
Radioactive Drilling Waste Shipped to Landfills Raises Concerns ]