Background
In parts of Cambodia and in many other parts of the world, irrigation of rice with groundwater
Conclusions
The highest levels of DMA in rice were associated with Zn deficiency in rice. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing financial interests.
Methods
Rice agriculture was evaluated along the Mekong River in Cambodia. Analyses for metals, total As, and As species in rice and water were conducted by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Analysis of total Zn and As in soils and total Zn in rice were analyzed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry.
Results
Rice in Preak Russey had Zn concentrations less than a third the level recommended by the United Nations World Food Programme. There was a significant (p < 0.05) negative correlation between the Zn content of rice and DMA in rice with the lowest Zn and highest DMA levels occurring near irrigation wells, the source of As. Conclusions: The highest levels of DMA in rice were associated with Zn deficiency in rice. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing financial interests.