Impacts of arsenic contamination on plants and the role of microalgae in arsenic stress mitigation for sustainable agriculture.
Singh R, Singh R
Phytoremediation
PubMedArsenic quietly enters the vegetables and grains grown in contaminated soil, meaning the food on your plate could carry a toxic metalloid that accumulates in your body over time — and microscopic algae may be one of the most practical tools we have to stop it at the source.
Arsenic is a natural but toxic substance that has been building up in farmland soil and water, partly due to mining, pesticides, and industrial pollution. When plants absorb it through their roots, it disrupts their growth and ends up in the food we eat. Scientists are now looking at microscopic algae as a natural cleanup crew — these tiny organisms can grab arsenic out of soil and water and lock it away, making farming safer without harsh chemicals.
Key Findings
Arsenic enters plants through root transport mechanisms and moves into shoots and edible tissues, where it disrupts photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and other key biological processes.
Multiple microalgal species have evolved at least four distinct detoxification strategies — biosorption, bioaccumulation, biotransformation, and biomineralization — giving them a strong natural toolkit for removing arsenic from contaminated environments.
Phycoremediation (algae-based cleanup) is highlighted as cost-effective and reusable compared to conventional remediation methods, with microalgae capable of being cultivated easily and applied repeatedly to affected soils and water.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Arsenic from both natural sources and human activity is building up in farm soils and irrigation water worldwide, threatening crop yields and food safety. This review highlights how tiny algae can be used as a low-cost, eco-friendly tool to pull arsenic out of contaminated soil and water before it reaches our food.
Abstract Preview
Arsenic (As) is a toxic metalloid that is accumulating in agricultural soils and irrigation water. As is occurring from both natural geochemical processes and various anthropogenic activities. Cons...
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