Genomic and metagenomic analysis of microbes and microbial communities involved in biogeochemical cycling of arsemic

饮用水的砷污染是一个全球性问题，给受影响人口造成慢性健康问题。症状包括皮肤变色、恶心、腹泻、血管问题和癌症。在孟加拉国等国家，估计有超过3000万人暴露于高水平的砷，在加拿大，美国和世界各地都发现了高砷水平的局部地区。已经开发了从饮用水供应中去除含砷化合物的方法，但这些方法受到成本的限制，特别是在发展中国家。

Arsenic contamination of drinking water is a global problem causing chronic health problems in affected populations. Symptoms range from skin discolouration, nausea, diarrhoea and vascular problems to cancer. In countries such as Bangladesh it is estimated that over 30 million people are exposed to high levels of arsenic, and localised areas with high arsenic levels have been found in Canada, the USA and throughout the world. Methods have been developed to remove arsenic-containing compounds from drinking water supplies, but these are limited by cost especially in developing countries.