ACTA AGRONOMICA VOLUME 41. (A MTA AGRÁRTUDOMÁNYI KÖZLEMÉNYEI, 1992)

1992 / 1-2. szám - SOIL SCIENCE AND AGROCHEMISTRY - A. S. KISS-M. ONCSIK-J. DOMBOVÁRI-S. VERES-G. ÁCS: Dangers of arsenic drinking and irrigation water to plants and humans. Antagonism of arsenic and magnesium

Acta Agronomica Hungarica, Vol. 41 (1-2), pp. 3—9 (1992) Soil Science and Agrochemistry DANGERS OF ARSENIC DRINKING AND IRRIGATION WATER TO PLANTS AND HUMANS. ANTAGONISM OF ARSENIC AND MAGNESIUM A. S. Kiss1, M. ONCSIK', J. DOMBOVÁRI1, S. VERES2 and G. Ács2 1 RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR IRRIGATION, SZARVAS, HUNGARY • DEPARTMENT OF INORGANIC AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY. JÓZSEF ATTILA UNIVERSITY, SZEGED, HUNGARY (Received: 27 May, 1991; accepted: 11 November, 1991) The arsenic content of the irrigation water accumulates through absorption in the top soil and, thus concentrated, inhibits the development of plants, reducing their volume of yield. We studied the effects of various concentrations of arsenic on barley, onion and rice plants grown in soil and culture fluid. Arsenic inhibited the growth and production of the plants in every case. Magnesium (fertilizer), given simultaneously with arsenic, inhibited the uptake of arsenic, and so prevented its damage. In the groundwaters of the southern regions of Trans-Tisza, the arsenic content is relatively high (0.1 -0.3 mg/1). The arsenic content of water in driven (artesian) wells decreases with the well depth. The arsenic content of vegetal food and drinking water accumulates in the human and animal organism and decreases the efficiency of the immune system, the phagocytic activity of macrophages. Arsenic and magnesium are antagonistic to one another (according to our findings), so the uptake and toxicity of arsenic can be reduced by magnesium application. Keywords: antagonism, arsenic, artesian water, barley, immune system, irrigation water, magnesium, man (human), onion, rice Introduction Arsenic is a widespread element of the biosphere; in the soil generally 1—40 mg/kg arsenic can be found. However, when arsenic plant protectives are used, and further, in the neighbourhood of chemical works, coal-fed power plants, and in the case of irrigation water containing arsenic, its concentration may be essentially higher. Tn the flue dust of coal-fed power plants, 50—500 mg/kg arsenic can be found, depending on the origin of the coal, which is a considerable amount, since the yearly amount of dust discharge can be measured in thousands of tons per power plant. Minimum quantities of arsenic can usually be found in plants. An average plant seldom contains arsenic at concentrations higher than 1 mg/kg (ppm), unless it comes from an area contaminated by arsenic. In most human foodstuffs only a few tenths ppm of arsenic can be found in terms of fresh weight. The arsenic content of algae and of foods and feeds of marine origin may be much higher; e.g. in eels, while generally 6—8 mg/kg, it may even reach 100 mg/kg. 1* Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest

Next