ARSENIC UPTAKE, DISTRIBUTION AND ACCUMULATION IN TOMATO PLANTS - HUMAN HEALTH RISK

The response of tomato plants to different levels of arsenic (As) in nutrient solution was investigated-the processes of uptake, distribution and accumulation of As. This experiment showed the behaviour of As in tomato plants. As uptake depended on the As concentration in solution, and As content in the roots increased as the time of treatment increased. An important finding was the high toxicity of arsenite to roots. The As level of 10 mg/L damaged the root membranes, resulting in a significant decrease in the upward transport of As. It is important to note that the As concentration in the fruits was not toxic or harmful for human consumption.