Arsenic distribution in soils and rye plants of a cropland located in an abandoned mining area.

Abstract A mining impacted cropland was studied in order to assess its As pollution level and the derived environmental and health risks. Profile soil samples (0–50 cm) and rye plant samples were collected at different distances (0–150 m) from the near mine dump and analyzed for their As content and distribution. These cropland soils were sandy, acidic and poor in organic matter and Fe/Al oxides. The soil total As concentrations (38–177 mg kg − 1 ) and, especially, the soil soluble As concentrations (0.48–4.1 mg kg − 1 ) importantly exceeded their safe limits for agricultural use of soils. Moreover, the soil As contents more prone to be mobilized could rise up to 25–69% of total As levels as determined using (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 , NH 4 H 2 PO 4 and (NH 4 ) 2 C 2 O 4 ·H 2 O as sequential extractants. Arsenic in rye plants was primarily distributed in roots (3.4–18.8 mg kg − 1 ), with restricted translocation to shoots (TF = 0.05–0.26) and grains (TF =