Geochemistry of arsenic in paddy soils and its accumulation in rice grains: An updated analysis with human health perspectives

The elevated concentration of arsenic (As) in rice grains poses a major global health concern. This review investigates the geochemical behavior of As in paddy soils and the mechanisms responsible for its accumulation in rice, providing insights into why As concentrations in rice are considerably hi...

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Main Authors: Meysam Cheraghi, Karim Shahbazi, Mostafa Marzi, Mojgan Yeganeh, Kobra Sadat Hasheminasab, Arzhang Fathi-Gerdelidani, Meisam Rezaei, Kambiz Bazargan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651325010127
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author Meysam Cheraghi
Karim Shahbazi
Mostafa Marzi
Mojgan Yeganeh
Kobra Sadat Hasheminasab
Arzhang Fathi-Gerdelidani
Meisam Rezaei
Kambiz Bazargan
author_facet Meysam Cheraghi
Karim Shahbazi
Mostafa Marzi
Mojgan Yeganeh
Kobra Sadat Hasheminasab
Arzhang Fathi-Gerdelidani
Meisam Rezaei
Kambiz Bazargan
author_sort Meysam Cheraghi
collection DOAJ
description The elevated concentration of arsenic (As) in rice grains poses a major global health concern. This review investigates the geochemical behavior of As in paddy soils and the mechanisms responsible for its accumulation in rice, providing insights into why As concentrations in rice are considerably higher than in other cereals. Our findings highlight that under the strongly reducing and anaerobic conditions typical of flooded paddy soils, the bioavailability of As increases markedly. Multiple As species coexist in these soils, but arsenite (As(III)) predominates due to the low redox potential and absence of oxygen. Arsenite is significantly more mobile and bioavailable than arsenate (As(V)), which dominates under aerobic conditions. In addition, rice roots take up As(III) efficiently through aquaporin channels that also transport silicic acid. These geochemical and physiological factors together result in elevated As accumulation in rice grains. In the second part, we provide a comprehensive overview of As speciation in rice grains and its associated human health risks. Our synthesis highlights substantial variation in exposure levels, carcinogenic risk, and non-carcinogenic hazards across regions, age groups, and dietary habits. Finally, key knowledge gaps are identified to guide future research on As geochemistry, speciation, and risk mitigation strategies in rice systems.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2025-09-01
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spelling doaj-art-153e6c91c2c445739a2c90ce0a0f3b592025-08-20T04:02:32ZengElsevierEcotoxicology and Environmental Safety0147-65132025-09-0130211866710.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118667Geochemistry of arsenic in paddy soils and its accumulation in rice grains: An updated analysis with human health perspectivesMeysam Cheraghi0Karim Shahbazi1Mostafa Marzi2Mojgan Yeganeh3Kobra Sadat Hasheminasab4Arzhang Fathi-Gerdelidani5Meisam Rezaei6Kambiz Bazargan7Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Soil and Water Research Institute (SWRI), Karaj, Iran; Corresponding authors.Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Soil and Water Research Institute (SWRI), Karaj, Iran; Corresponding authors.Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Soil and Water Research Institute (SWRI), Karaj, IranAgricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Soil and Water Research Institute (SWRI), Karaj, IranAgricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Soil and Water Research Institute (SWRI), Karaj, IranDepartment of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Tehran, IranAgricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Soil and Water Research Institute (SWRI), Karaj, IranAgricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Soil and Water Research Institute (SWRI), Karaj, IranThe elevated concentration of arsenic (As) in rice grains poses a major global health concern. This review investigates the geochemical behavior of As in paddy soils and the mechanisms responsible for its accumulation in rice, providing insights into why As concentrations in rice are considerably higher than in other cereals. Our findings highlight that under the strongly reducing and anaerobic conditions typical of flooded paddy soils, the bioavailability of As increases markedly. Multiple As species coexist in these soils, but arsenite (As(III)) predominates due to the low redox potential and absence of oxygen. Arsenite is significantly more mobile and bioavailable than arsenate (As(V)), which dominates under aerobic conditions. In addition, rice roots take up As(III) efficiently through aquaporin channels that also transport silicic acid. These geochemical and physiological factors together result in elevated As accumulation in rice grains. In the second part, we provide a comprehensive overview of As speciation in rice grains and its associated human health risks. Our synthesis highlights substantial variation in exposure levels, carcinogenic risk, and non-carcinogenic hazards across regions, age groups, and dietary habits. Finally, key knowledge gaps are identified to guide future research on As geochemistry, speciation, and risk mitigation strategies in rice systems.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651325010127Arsenic speciationArsenic uptakeHuman health riskPaddy soilsRice grain
spellingShingle Meysam Cheraghi
Karim Shahbazi
Mostafa Marzi
Mojgan Yeganeh
Kobra Sadat Hasheminasab
Arzhang Fathi-Gerdelidani
Meisam Rezaei
Kambiz Bazargan
Geochemistry of arsenic in paddy soils and its accumulation in rice grains: An updated analysis with human health perspectives
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Arsenic speciation
Arsenic uptake
Human health risk
Paddy soils
Rice grain
title Geochemistry of arsenic in paddy soils and its accumulation in rice grains: An updated analysis with human health perspectives
title_full Geochemistry of arsenic in paddy soils and its accumulation in rice grains: An updated analysis with human health perspectives
title_fullStr Geochemistry of arsenic in paddy soils and its accumulation in rice grains: An updated analysis with human health perspectives
title_full_unstemmed Geochemistry of arsenic in paddy soils and its accumulation in rice grains: An updated analysis with human health perspectives
title_short Geochemistry of arsenic in paddy soils and its accumulation in rice grains: An updated analysis with human health perspectives
title_sort geochemistry of arsenic in paddy soils and its accumulation in rice grains an updated analysis with human health perspectives
topic Arsenic speciation
Arsenic uptake
Human health risk
Paddy soils
Rice grain
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651325010127
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