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Estimation of Biologic Gasification Potential of Arsenic from Contaminated Natural Soil by Enumeration of Arsenic Methylating Bacteria

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Abstract

Volatile arsenic species are found in gases released from natural environments as a result of natural ambient-temperature biomethylation of arsenic conducted by yeast, fungi, and bacteria. This process is part of arsenic transport in the arsenic geocycle. It is important to determine the flux of gasified arsenic released by microorganisms to determine the quantitative flux of arsenic cycle clearly and also to understand the effect of microorganisms on the transport and distribution of arsenic in the contaminated environment. In this study, biologic gasification potential of natural soil was determined by enumeration of arsenic methylating bacteria (AsMB). Enumeration of AsMB was conducted for 10 contaminated sites in Bangladesh where AsMB concentration varies from 0.2 × 104 to 7.8 × 104 most probable number (MPN) kg–1 dry soil. The specific gasification rate of arsenic by microorganisms was estimated as 1.8 × 10–7 μg As MPN–1d–1 by incubation of soil in a laboratory soil column setup. Natural biologic gasification potential of arsenic was then calculated by multiplying the specific rate by the number of AsMB in different soils. The attempt of this study is a fundamental step in determining the volatilization flux of arsenic from land surface contributed by microorganisms.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science under Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research, Kakenhi, Scientific Research (B) (primary investigator K. Fukushi) and the Sumitomo Foundation (Award No. 043505).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology, Gazipur, 1700, Bangladesh

    S. M. A. Islam & G. C. Saha

  2. Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

    K. Fukushi

  3. Environmental Science Center, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

    K. Yamamoto

Authors
  1. S. M. A. Islam
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  2. K. Fukushi
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  3. K. Yamamoto
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  4. G. C. Saha
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Correspondence to S. M. A. Islam.

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Islam, S.M.A., Fukushi, K., Yamamoto, K. et al. Estimation of Biologic Gasification Potential of Arsenic from Contaminated Natural Soil by Enumeration of Arsenic Methylating Bacteria. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 52, 332–338 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-006-0068-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-006-0068-5

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