Arsenic

Arsenic (As) is one of the most toxic elements for plants, animal and humans, found in waters. It is considered as carcinogenic and causative agent of numerous human diseases by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC, group 1) since 1980. Based on these observations and evidences, many studies have highlighted the interest of using plants for the detection of arsenic in the environment. Arsenic sources and speciation, as well as arsenic uptake and toxicity in plants, will be reviewed in Chapter One. Chapter Two aims to introduce the arsenic uptake in some of the common and popular fruits and vegetables that have been a pathway of risk to human health. In Chapter Three a three-module continuous plant design, capable of deliver up to 1 m3/day of arsenic-free drinking water, is described. Chapter Four studies the toxicogenesis of arsenic in wheat and paddy plants with subsequent internal metabolism and remediation strategies.