The Contents and Distributions of Arsenic, Antimony, and Mercury in Geothermal Waters

Abstract

Abstract The contents and distributions of arsenic, antimony, and mercury in geothermal water samples taken from various geothermal areas in Japan were investigated. Since the existing forms of arsenic, antimony, and mercury in geothermal waters are complex and can change during sample storage, it is difficult to determine all of the chemical forms. In this study, therefore, the arsenic(III+V), antimony(III+V), and total mercury contents were determined. In geothermal water, there is a high positive correlation between the contents of arsenic and antimony. However, there is no correlation at all between the contents of mercury and arsenic, or between those of mercury and antimony. It can be assumed that mercury behaves differently from either arsenic or antimony in geothermal water.