Geographical variations in arsenic contents in rice plants from Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula in relation to soil conditions.

Arsenic is a ubiquitous, toxic element that is efficiently accumulated by rice plants. This study assessed the spatial variability in the total As (tAs) contents and organic and inorganic forms in different types of rice, plant parts (husk, stem, leaves and phytoliths) and residues. Samples were collected in different countries in Latin America (Ecuador, Brazil and Peru) and the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal).

Assessment of cadmium and lead contamination in rice farming soils and rice (Oryza sativa L.) from Guayas province in Ecuador.

Rice is the world's most consumed and in-demand grain. Ecuador is one of the main rice-consuming countries in Latin America, with an average per capita consumption of 53.2 kg per year.

Oryong 501 sinking incident in the Bering Sea-International DVI cooperation in the Asia Pacific.

On December 1st, 2014, the sinking of Oryong 501 occurred in the Bering Sea off the east coast of Russia. A total of 60 crew members, including 35 Indonesians, 13 Filipinos, 11 South Koreans and 1 Russian inspector were on board out of which only seven survived. Through an international rescue operation, the dead bodies of 27 were found and the remaining 26 crew are still missing.

Arsenic in rice agrosystems (water, soil and rice plants) in Guayas and Los Ríos provinces, Ecuador.

Geogenic arsenic (As) can accumulate and reach high concentrations in rice grains, thus representing a potential threat to human health. Ecuador is one of the main consumers of rice in South America. However, there is no information available about the concentrations of As in rice agrosystems, although some water bodies are known to contain high levels of the element.