Sorption, Fractionation, and Bioavailability of As in Semi-Arid Soils of the Southern High Plains.

The Southern High Plains is noted for complex environmental challenges among which soil As contamination is becoming a rising issue. One of the most noted sources of As in the irrigated fields of the SHP is the use of As-contaminated groundwater. Arsenic contamination in these soils has received limited attention in the past and thus, insufficient information is available on the chemistry of As. This study will examine the sorption, fractionation, and bioavailability of As in the semi-arid soils of the SHP. Soil samples will be collected from the following sites: irrigated fields; rainfed agricultural field; and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) field. Soils with inherently low As concentration will be used for sorption study. Arsenic Fractionation will be conducted on high As-contaminated soils, however, low As soils could also be spiked with As for this purpose. Soil As bioavailability will be determined using the physiologically based extraction test (PBET).