Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

An in vitro gastrointestinal method to estimate bioavailable arsenic in contaminated soils and solid media

Journal Article · · Environmental Science and Technology
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es980631h· OSTI ID:330536
;  [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater, OK (United States). Dept. of Plant and Soil Sciences
  2. Univ. of Missouri, Columbia, MO (United States). Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab.
A method was developed to simulate the human gastrointestinal environment and to estimate bioavailability of arsenic in contaminated soil and soil media. In this in vitro gastrointestinal (IVG) method, arsenic is sequentially extracted from contaminated soil with simulated gastric and intestinal solutions. A modified IVG-AB method, where iron hydroxide gel is used to simulate the absorption of arsenic, was also evaluated. Fifteen contaminated soils collected from mining/smelter sites ranging from 401 to 17,460 mg As kg{sup {minus}1} were analyzed. In vitro results were compared with in vivo relative bioavailable arsenic (RBA) determined from dosing trials using immature swine which ranged from 2.7 to 42.8% RBA. Arsenic extracted by the IVG and IVG-AB methods was not statistically different than RBA arsenic measured by the in vivo method. Arsenic extracted by the IVG stomach and intestinal phases was linearly correlated with in vivo arsenic. Similarly, the IVG-AB method was linearly correlated with in vivo bioavailable arsenic. All IVG methods extracted similar amounts of arsenic and provided estimates of bioavailable As in contaminated media. The IVG method may aid in the design and cost-effectiveness of remedial strategies of arsenic-contaminated sites.
OSTI ID:
330536
Journal Information:
Environmental Science and Technology, Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 33; ISSN ESTHAG; ISSN 0013-936X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English