This project aims to understand spatial distribution and quantify arsenic (and its chemical species) in rice through synchrotron X-ray spectroscopy in collaboration with the Diamond Light Source. However, in order to develop a standard method for rapid examination of various rice types through synchrotron imaging technology, we need to overcome several methodological barriers (e.g. thickness of rice cross sections, embedding methods and imaging parameters), which we will address in this project. In parallel, we aim to produce a comprehensive baseline dataset on arsenic in rice types from Bangladesh, which is one of the worst affected countries in the world where there are no facilities nor regulations in place to monitor arsenic contents in rice and rice products, in contrast to the developed countries. This baseline data represent an essential milestone in managing arsenic in the food chain in the affected areas, and will inform the stakeholders and policymakers in developing regulations required for the health and well-being of the affected population. The outputs from this project are designed to be fed into various intervention strategies such as selection of appropriate rice cultivars which uptake less arsenic in plant parts, selection of improved soil-water management practices that translocate less arsenic to rice plants, and development of processing and cooking methods to reduce the arsenic exposure. Through this project, we shall directly address several sustainable development goals such as no poverty, no hunger, good health and well-being, clean water and sanitation, decent work and economic growth, responsible consumption and production, and life on land.
Dr Manoj Menon (PI), Department of Geography, University of Sheffield (Publications)
Prof. Fred Mosselmans, Diamond Light Source, Harwell Campus (Publications)
Dr Binoy Sarkar, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield (Publications)
Dr Christian Reynolds, Department of Geography, University of Sheffield (Publications)
Prof Edward Rhodes, Department of Geography, University of Sheffield (Publications)
Prof Raifqul Islam, (Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh) (Publications)
Prof. Mahmud Sumon, (Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh) (Publications)
Prof Mohammad Hoque (Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh) (Publications)
Dr Scott Young, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham (Publications)
Prof. Andrew Meharg, Queens University Belfast (Collaborator) (Publications)- Principal Project Advisor