A review on completing arsenic biogeochemical cycle：Microbial volatilization of arsines in environment
Peipei Wang , Guoxin Sun , Yan Jia , Andrew A Meharg , Yongguan Zhu
DOI:10.1016/S1001-0742(13)60432-5
Received March 06, 2013,Revised August 08, 2013, Accepted , Available online January 27, 2014
Volume ,2014,Pages 371-381
Arsenic (As) is ubiquitous in the environment in the carcinogenic inorganic forms, posing risks to human health in many parts of the world. Many microorganisms have evolved a series of mechanisms to cope with inorganic arsenic in their growth media such as transforming As compounds into volatile derivatives. Bio-volatilization of As has been suggested to play an important role in global As biogeochemical cycling, and can also be explored as a potential method for arsenic bioremediation. This review aims to provide an overview of the quality and quantity of As volatilization by fungi, bacteria, microalga and protozoans. Arsenic bio-volatilization is influenced by both biotic and abiotic factors that can be manipulated/elucidated for the purpose of As bioremediation. Since As bio-volatilization is a resurgent topic for both biogeochemistry and environmental health, our review serves as a concept paper for future research directions.
