Continuous use of arsenic contaminated irrigation water: A future threat to sustainable agriculture in Pakistan

Abstract

Research work was conducted in Waziarabad District to investigate the concentrations of arsenic in irrigation water, soil and plant parts and to assess the future threat to the economy. The level of arsenic in irrigation water was much above the WHO permissible limit (0.01 mg/l) for drinking water, but within the FAO permissible limit of 0.10 mg/l for irrigation water. Results indicate that the arsenic is transferred from irrigation water and paddy soil to various parts of rice plants. In none of the studied samples the concentration of arsenic in soil and in rice exceeded the permissible limit (25 mg/kg for soil and 0.2 mg/ kg for rice grain) which means that consumption of rice does not pose a significant health threat to population; however, the future projections of soil As possess threats to the economy of the country in future To avoid the future problems due to arsenic contamination, there is a need to take appropriate steps, such as development of new irrigation strategies and continuous monitoring of irrigation water, soil and grain