Competitive mobilization of phosphate and arsenate associated with goethite by root activity

Arsenate (As-V) is the predominant form of arsenic in soils under aerobic conditions and competes with the major plant nutrient phosphorous (P) in the form of the phosphate (P-V) not only for the sorption sites on the mineral surfaces in soil but also for the root membrane transporters. Plant have evolved several mechanisms for the mobilization of P-V in soils in response to P deficiency, such as the release of organic anions and protons. The aim of the present study was to test whether these mechanisms result in a simultaneous mobilization of arsenate and what would be the consequences for As tranfer from