E. coli-based whole-cell bioreporter (WCB) was developed to detect arsenic in soil.
The WCB expressed GFP under the control of an arsenic-responsive promoter.
Soil samples artificially and naturally contaminated with arsenic were tested.
The WCB was sensitive, detecting arsenic present in the parts per billion range.
The WCB showed that soil washing reduced total but not bioavailable arsenic.