Arsenic is a metalloid element (atomic number 33) that exhibits multiple oxidation states, primarily −3, +3, and +5, enabling diverse inorganic and organoarsenic compounds with distinct reactivities and toxicological profiles. In environmental and toxicological research, arsenic is studied as a ubiquitous contaminant in water, soil, and air, with inorganic arsenite (As(III)) and arsenate (As(V)) being the most biologically relevant species. Its speciation is governed by redox potential, pH, and microbial activity, influencing mobility, bioavailability, and biotransformation. Arsenic is a focus of research on carcinogenesis, epigenetic alterations, endocrine disruption, and risk assessment, as well as on remediation technologies such as adsorption, coagulation, membrane filtration, and bioremediation.
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