New technology reduces risks from arsenic in soil  

新疆科学家攻克土壤砷污染难题

记者16日从中国科学院新疆生态与地理研究所获悉，该所研究团队成功攻克干旱区盐碱土砷(As)污染的微生物控制技术难题，该技术的推广可降低人们来自土壤中砷中毒的风险。

Urumqi (CNS) – A new technology that lowers the risk of human arsenic poisoning from contaminated soil has been developed by research teams at the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG), which operates under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Mr. Pan Xiangliang, director of the Pollution Control and Environmental Rehabilitation Office at the XIEG, said the new technology enables them to isolate temperature resistant bacteria from soil. "Over the years, various experiments have proven that such technology is highly effective and economically feasible in the control of arsenic contamination in salinized soil."

So far, 25 types of bacteria capable of controlling arsenic have been selected, he added.

Arsenic is a naturally occurring toxic element widely distributed in nature. It is most active in salinized soil where it permeates into crops, surface water and ground water, posing threats to human health.

Wide application of the new technology is expected to effectively control contamination in areas of high arsenic concentration, Pan said, adding that it can also help restore heavily polluted soil and underground water.