Inorganic Arsenic Concentrations in Wheat Chaff Exceed Those in Wheat Grain

Eight wheat cultivars were grown in soil amended with arsenate (AsV) at a concentration of 15 mg As kg-1 soil, with or without a triple super phosphate amendment of 40 mg P kg-1 soil. All eight wheat cultivars accumulated higher As in stems/leaves (9–23 µg As g-1) and chaff (9–22 µg As g-1) compared with the grain (0.6–1.6 µg As g-1). The As present in stems/leaves, grain and chaff was found as inorganic As species—AsV or arsenite (AsIII). For most cultivars, increased P availability had minimal influence on As accumulation in chaff tissues. If this data is reflective of what occurs in situ, then As can accumulate in chaff at similar concentrations to stem and leaf tissues which are much higher than in grain. Further research is required to determine the risks of As accumulation in livestock products (meat and dairy) when fed with As-contaminated wheat chaff.