Biogeochemical processes and arsenic enrichment around rice roots in paddy soil: results from micro‐focused X‐ray spectroscopy

The spatial distribution and speciation of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and arsenic (As) around rice roots grown in an As‐affected paddy field in Bangladesh were investigated on soil sampled after rice harvest. Synchrotron micro‐X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry on soil thin sections revealed that roots influence soil Fe, Mn and As distribution up to 1 mm away from the root–soil interface. Around thick roots (diameter around 500 µm), Mn was concentrated in discrete enrichments close to the root surface without associated As, whereas concentric Fe accumulations formed farther away and were closely correlated with As accumulations. Near thin roots (diameter < 100 µm), in contrast, a pronounced enrichment of Fe and As next to the root surface and a lack of Mn…