Arsenic in agricultural soils across China: Distribution pattern, accumulation trend, influencing factors, and risk assessment

Abstract

Arsenic (As) in the environment is of concern due to its strong toxicity and high risks to the ecosystems and humans. In this study, soil samples across China collected in 2011 and 2016 were used to determine the concentrations of arsenic in arable soils. The median concentration of arsenic in surface soils was 9.7 mg/kg. The inventory of arsenic in the Chinese agricultural surface soils was estimated to be 3.7 × 10^6 tons. In general, arsenic contamination was found higher in South and Northeast China than in other regions, with means of 18.7 and 15.8 mg/kg, respectively. Vertically, arsenic concentrations were higher in top layer (0–15 cm) soils (median of 9.8 mg/kg) and decreased with soil depth (medians of 8.9 mg/kg at 15–30 cm and 8.0 mg/kg at 30–45 cm). By comparing with published data, an increasing accumulation trend over the past decades was found and this enhancement was positively related with the long-term application of fertilizers in agricultural practice, especially phosphate fertilizers. Soil pH was found to affect the movement of arsenic in soil, and high-pH conditions enhanced the pool of arsenic. The ecological risk assessment revealed that arsenic in Chinese agricultural soil posed a low risk to the ecosystem. Regarding human health, the mean hazard indices (HIs) of arsenic were below 1, suggesting an absence of non-carcinogenic risks. In addition, the cancer risks of arsenic in all soil samples were within the acceptable range (below 1 × 10^(−4)), indicating low to very low risks to the exposed population. Findings from this study are valuable to provide effective management options for risk avoidance and to control the persistent accumulation of arsenic in the agriculture sector across the world.