Elevated Concentrations Of Sb Research Articles

Effect of endophytic bacteria on the phytoremediation potential of halophyte Tamarix smyrnensis for Sb-contaminated soils

Phytoremediation, including bacteria-assisted phytoremediation, presents a promising technology for treating shooting range soils contaminated with toxic metalloids. In this study, a pot experiment was performed using the halophyte Tamarix smyrnensis and soil collected from a shooting range and artificially spiked at two different antimonite (Sb(III)) concentrations (50 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg) with the aim to explore the Sb phytoremediation of the halophyte. The effect of salt (0.3%) and Mn addition (300 ppm) on its remediation capacity was also investigated. Moreover, the root endophytic community of the halophyte was found able to remove Sb(III) and was periodically inoculated to the plants. The consortium application increased the Sb bioavailable fraction in the soil and enhanced the Sb accumulation in root and aerial parts (up to 50% and 55% respectively at high Sb(III) concentration) compared to the uninoculated plants. Moreover, the presence of Mn increased the translocation factor (21% increase for inoculated and 46% increase for uninoculated plants) while lower TF was observed at high Sb concentrations (0,2 and 0,07 was the lowest value at low and high Sb treatments respectively). The addition of salt, Mn and root endophytic bacteria aided the halophyte to cope with elevated Sb concentrations. The total chlorophyll concentration was higher in inoculated plants compared to the uninoculated ones in all treatments, implying the positive effects of endophytic inoculation. The halophyte T. smyrnensis with the aid of endophytic community presents a promising alternative for remediating shooting range soils especially in areas impacted by salinity.

Accumulation, regional distribution, and environmental effects of Sb in the largest Hg–Sb mine area in Qinling Orogen, China

In this study, knowledge gaps on Sb concentration in rocks, ores, tailings, soil, river water, sediments, and crops of mine areas were identified and discussed in terms of contamination levels, spatial distribution, and environmental effects. Accordingly, Xunyang Hg–Sb mine, the largest Hg–Sb deposit in China as research region in this study, field sampling and laboratory analysis were conducted. The results showed elevated concentrations of Sb in the soil, sediment, and river water. The X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the main minerals of the rocks were quartz, dolomite, calcite, and margarite. Based on the TESCAN integrated mineral analyzer analysis, the main ore minerals in the Gongguan mine were dolomite (93.97%), cinnabar (2.50%), stibnite (2.48%), calcite (0.38%), and quartz (0.38%). The μ-XRF analysis indicated that Sb distribution was similar to those of S and O, instead of those of Hg and As. The clear spatial variation of Sb concentration in environmental media, mines, tailings, and settling ponds affected Sb accumulation. Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteriota, and Chloroflexi were the dominant phyla in the soil. Patescibacteria, Proteobacteria, and Bdellovibrionota were negatively correlated with Sb in the soil (p < 0.05). Exposure to Sb through maize grain and cabbage consumption poses serious non-carcinogenic health risk for residents. This work provides a scientific basis for the environmental quality assessment of Sb mine areas and development of applicable guidelines.

A Critical Review of Resistance and Oxidation Mechanisms of Sb-Oxidizing Bacteria for the Bioremediation of Sb(III) Pollution.

Antimony (Sb) is a priority pollutant in many countries and regions due to its chronic toxicity and potential carcinogenicity. Elevated concentrations of Sb in the environmental originating from mining and other anthropogenic sources are of particular global concern, so the prevention and control of the source of pollution and environment remediation are urgent. It is widely accepted that indigenous microbes play an important role in Sb speciation, mobility, bioavailability, and fate in the natural environment. Especially, antimony-oxidizing bacteria can promote the release of antimony from ore deposits to the wider environment. However, it can also oxidize the more toxic antimonite [Sb(III)] to the less-toxic antimonate [Sb(V)], which is considered as a potentially environmentally friendly and efficient remediation technology for Sb pollution. Therefore, understanding its biological oxidation mechanism has great practical significance to protect environment and human health. This paper reviews studies of the isolation, identification, diversity, Sb(III) resistance mechanisms, Sb(III) oxidation characteristics and mechanism and potential application of Sb-oxidizing bacteria. The aim is to provide a theoretical basis and reference for the diversity and metabolic mechanism of Sb-oxidizing bacteria, the prevention and control of Sb pollution sources, and the application of environment treatment for Sb pollution.

Geochemical behaviors of antimony in mining-affected water environment (Southwest China)

Antimony (Sb) is a harmful element, and Sb pollution is one of the typical environmental issues in China, meaning that understanding of the geochemical behaviors of Sb is the key to control the fate of environmental Sb pollution. Sb tends to migrate in soluble form in the water-sediment system, but the fate of dissolved Sb is poorly known. Duliujiang river basin, located in southwest China, provided us with a natural aqueous environment to study the transport of Sb because of its unique geological and geographical characteristics. Physicochemical properties (pH, EC, Eh, DO, Flux), trace elements (Sb, As, Sr) and main ions (Ca2+, Mg2+, SO42-) concentrations in mining-impacted waters were measured in order to determine their distribution and migration potential. There are three types of water samples; they are main stream waters (pH of 7.33-8.43), tributary waters (pH of 6.85-9.12) and adit waters with pH values ranging from 7.57 to 9.76, respectively. Results showed that adit waters contained elevated concentrations of Sb reaching up to 13350µgL-1 from the abandoned Sb mines, and mine wastes contained up to 8792mgkg-1 Sb from the historical mine dumps are the important sources of Sb pollution in the Duliujiang river basin. Dissolved Sb had strong migration ability in streams, while its attenuation mainly depended on the dilution of tributary water with large flow rate. In the exit section of the Duliujiang river basin, which had only 10µgL-1 of average Sb concentration. The simple deionized water extraction was designed to investigate the ability of Sb likely to dissolve from the mine wastes. The results indicated that a greater solubility of Sb in alkaline (pH of 7.11-8.16) than in acid (pH of 3.03-4.45) mine wastes, suggesting that mine wastes contained high Sb concentrations, could release Sb into solution in the natural river waters. Furthermore, the fate of Sb pollution depends on the comprehensive treatment of abandoned adit waters and mine wastes in the upper reaches of the drainage basin.

Antimony exposure and speciation in human biomarkers near an active mining area in Hunan, China

Antimony (Sb) exposure threatens human health. To identify human biomarkers for Sb exposure, we analyzed 480 environmental samples from an active Sb mining area in Hunan, China. Elevated Sb concentrations exceeding the reference level were detected in drinking water (70% of n = 83 total samples), foods (80%, n = 188), urine (95%, n = 63), saliva (44%, n = 48), hair (80%, n = 51) and nails (83%, n = 47). Drinking water contributed 85%–100% of the average daily dose (ADD) of Sb, and the total ADD (11.7 μg/kg bodyweight/day) was up to thirty times higher than the oral reference dose (0.4 μg/kg bodyweight/day) as recommended by USEPA. A positive correlation was found between ADD and Sb content in hair (p = 0.02), but not in urine (p = 0.051), saliva (p = 0.52) or nails (p = 0.85), suggesting that hair is the best non-invasive biomarker. Micro X-ray fluorescence analysis indicated that Sb is distributed in discrete spots in hair and nails, and Sb distribution is correlated with other metals. Methylated Sb species were predominant in urine (46%–100%) and saliva (74%–100%) in collected samples, implying that the human metabolic system adopts methylation as an effective pathway to detoxify and excrete Sb.

Microbial diversity and community structure in an antimony-rich tailings dump.

To assess the impact of antimony (Sb) on microbial community structure, 12 samples were taken from an Sb tailings pile in Guizhou Province, Southwest China. All 12 samples exhibited elevated Sb concentrations, but the mobile and bioaccessible fractions were small in comparison to total Sb concentrations. Besides the geochemical analyses, microbial communities inhabiting the tailing samples were characterized to investigate the interplay between the microorganisms and environmental factors in mine tailings. In all samples, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were the most dominant phyla. At the genus level, Thiobacillus, Limnobacter, Nocardioides, Lysobacter, Phormidium, and Kaistobacter demonstrated relatively high abundances. The two most abundant genera, Thiobacillus and Limnobacter, are characterized as sulfur-oxidizing bacteria and thiosulfate-oxidizing bacteria, respectively, while the genus Lysobacter contains arsenic (As)-resistant bacteria. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicates that TOC and the sulfate to sulfide ratio strongly shaped the microbial communities, suggesting the influence of the environmental factors in the indigenous microbial communities.

Arsenic and antimony geochemistry of mine wastes, associated waters and sediments at the Giant Mine, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada

Elevated levels of arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb) in water and sediments are legacy residues found downstream from gold-mining activities at the Giant Mine in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories (NWT), Canada. To track the transport and fate of As and Sb, samples of mine-waste from the mill, and surface water, sediment, pore-water, and vegetation downstream of the mine were collected. Mine waste, pore-water, and sediment samples were analyzed for bulk chemistry, and aqueous and solid-state speciation. Sediment and vegetation chemistry were evaluated using scanning electron microscope imaging, synchrotron-based element mapping and electron microprobe analysis. The distributions of As and Sb in sediments were similar, yet their distributions in the corresponding pore-waters were mostly dissimilar, and the mobility of As was greater than that of Sb. Competition for sorption sites is the most likely cause of elevated Sb concentrations in relatively oxidized pore-water and surface water. The aqueous and solid-state speciation of As and Sb also differed. In pore-water, As(V) dominated in oxidizing environments and As(III) in reducing environments. In contrast, the Sb(V) species dominated in all but one pore-water sample, even under reducing conditions. Antimony(III) appears to preferentially precipitate or adsorb onto sulfides as evidenced by the prevalence of an Sb(III)-S secondary solid-phase and the lack of Sb(III)(aq) in the deeper zones. The As(V)–O solid phase became depleted with depth below the sediment–water interface, and the Sb(V)–O phase persisted under relatively reducing conditions. In the surficial zone at a site populated by Equisetum fluviatile (common horsetail), As and Sb were associated with organic material and appeared mobile in the root zone. In the zone below active plant growth, As and Sb were associated primarily with inorganic phases suggesting a release and reprecipitation of these elements upon plant death. The co-existence of reduced and oxidized As and Sb species, instability of some phases under changing redox conditions, and plant uptake and release pose challenges for remediation efforts at the mine.

Influence of silicon on maize roots exposed to antimony – Growth and antioxidative response

Pollution of antimony (Sb) raises a serious environmental problem. Although this non-essential element can be taken up by roots and accumulated in plant tissues in relatively high concentrations, there is still lack of knowledge about the effect of Sb on biochemical and metabolic processes in plants. It was shown that application of silicon (Si) can decrease the toxicity of other heavy metals and toxic elements in various plants. The aim of this study was to assess how Si influences the growth and antioxidative response of young Zea mays L. roots exposed to elevated concentrations of Sb. Antimony reduced the root growth and induced oxidative stress and activated antioxidant defense mechanisms in maize. Silicon addition to Sb treated roots decreased oxidative stress symptoms documented by lower lipid peroxidation, proline accumulation, and decreased activity of antioxidative enzymes (ascorbate peroxidase, EC 1.11.1.11; catalase, EC 1.11.1.6; and guaiacol peroxidase, EC 1.11.1.7). Although neither positive nor negative effect of Si has been observed on root length and biomass, changes in the oxidative response of plants exposed to Sb indicate a possible mitigation role of Si on Sb toxicity in plants.

Ecological effects of soil antimony on the crop plant growth and earthworm activity

High levels of antimony have been frequently detected in some industrial sites. This study evaluated the adverse effects of antimony (Sb) on the surface-casting activity of earthworm and the early growths of some important crop plants. Asian earthworm (Perionyx excavates) and four crop plant species (Chinese cabbage, Brassica campestris; wheat, Triticum aestivum; cucumber, Cucumis sativus; and mung bean, Phaseolus radiatus) were exposed to soil antimony in laboratory. Survival, abnormality and the surface-casting activity of earthworm were monitored. Negative effects of the survival and the morphological abnormalities were observed in the P. excavates exposed to Sb. The earthworm activity, expressed as surface cast production, was significantly inhibited with elevated Sb levels. In terms of plant assay, the growth of all test plants was adversely affected in Sb-contaminated soils, and the content of Sb in plant tissues increased with increasing Sb concentration in soil. The results demonstrate that elevated Sb concentrations in soil would inhibit the early growth of crop plants, and the earthworm casting activity that is a key function of earthworm to increase soil fertility. This is the first report on the negative effect of Sb on the casting activity of earthworm as well as the growth of test plant species selected.

High levels of antimony in dust from e-waste recycling in southeastern China

Environmental contamination due to uncontrolled e-waste recycling is an emerging global issue. Antimony (Sb) is a toxic element used in semiconductor components and flame retardants for circuit board within electronic equipment. When e-waste is recycled, Sb is released and contaminates the surrounding environment; however, few studies have characterized the extent of this problem. In this study, we investigated Sb and arsenic (As) distributions in indoor dust from 13 e-waste recycling villages in Guiyu, Guangdong Province, southeastern China. Results revealed significantly elevated concentrations of Sb (6.1–232 mg/kg) in dust within all villages, which were 3.9–147 times higher than those from the non e-waste sites, indicating e-waste recycling was an important source of Sb pollution. On the contrary, As concentrations (5.4–17.7 mg/kg) in e-waste dusts were similar to reference values from the control sites. Therefore, dusts emitted from e-waste recycling may be characterized by high Sb/As ratios, which may help identify the contamination due to the e-waste recycling activities.

Multiple sources for mineralizing fluids in the Charmitan gold(-tungsten) mineralization (Uzbekistan)

Mineral assemblages present within the Charmitan gold(-tungsten) quartz-vein mineralization have been investigated for their cathodoluminescence behaviour, chemical composition and noble gas isotope systematics. This inventory of methods allows for the first time a systematic reconstruction of the paragenetic relationships of quartz, scheelite, sulphides and native gold within the gold mineralization at Charmitan and provides the basis to utilise noble gas data in the discussion of sources and evolution of ore-forming fluids. The vein quartz is classified into four generations based on microscopic and cathodoluminescence investigations. Quartz I shows intense brittle deformation as associated scheelite I. Undeformed scheelite II overgrows scheelite I and has lower light rare earth element and higher intermediate rare earth element contents as well as higher strontium concentrations. Scheelite II is associated with the economic gold mineralization and formed during re-crystallisation and re-precipitation of material which was partly re-mobilised from early scheelite I during infiltration of gold-bearing fluids. Early stage native gold inclusions are often associated with stage 2 sulphides, scheelite II and bismuth tellurides and contain Ag (3.6–24.4 wt.%), Hg (≤1.0 wt.%) and Bi (≤0.2 wt.%). Later stage electrum grains occur in association with stage 3 sulphides and sulphosalts and contain Hg (<0.8 wt.%) and elevated Sb concentrations (up to 3.0 wt.%). Noble gas isotope data (3He/4He: 0.2-0.4 Ra) for hydrothermal ore fluids trapped in the gold-related sulphides and sulphosalts (stage 2 pyrite and arsenopyrite; stage 3 pyrite, sphalerite, galena and lead sulphosalts) suggest that diverse fluid sources were involved in the formation of the Charmitan gold deposit. These data are indicative of a small, but significant input of fluids from external, deep-seated (mantle and possibly lower crust) sources. A decrease in the input of mantle helium and an increasing role of crustal helium from early to later stages of the mineralization is suggested by the measured 3He/4He and 40Ar*/4He ratios. Sulphides from ore veins in meta-sedimentary rocks contain higher portions of meteoric fluids than those in intrusive rock types as indicated by their lower 3He/36Ar ratios. The 3He/36Ar ratios in the meta-sedimentary rocks agree well with ratios typical of gold mineralizations in the Tien Shan gold province completely hosted by meta-sedimentary sequences, indicating intense fluid-wall rock interaction.

Simultaneous determination of inorganic and organic antimony species by using anion exchange phases for HPLC–ICP-MS and their application to plant extracts of Pteris vittata

Antimony is a common contaminant at abandoned sites for non-ferrous ore mining and processing. Because of the possible risk of antimony by transfer to plants growing on contaminated sites, it is of importance to analyze antimony and its species in such biota. A method based on high performance liquid chromatographic separation and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric detection (HPLC–ICP-MS) was developed to determine inorganic antimony species such as Sb(III) and Sb(V) as well as possible antimony-organic metabolisation products of the antimony transferred into plant material within one chromatographic run. The separation is performed using anion chromatography on a strong anion exchange column (IonPac AS15/AG 15). Based on isocratic optimizations for the separation of Sb(III) and Sb(V) as well as Sb(V) and trimenthylated Sb(V) (TMSb(V)), a chromatographic method with an eluent gradient was developed. The suggested analytical method was applied to aqueous extracts of Chinese break fern Pteris vittata samples. The transfer of antimony from spiked soil composites into the fern, which is known as a hyperaccumulator for arsenic, was investigated under greenhouse conditions. Remarkable amounts of antimony were transferred into roots and leaves of P. vittata growing on spiked soil composites. Generally, P. vittata accumulates not only arsenic (as shown in a multiplicity of studies in the last decade), but also antimony to a lower extent. The main contaminant in the extracts was Sb(V), but also elevated concentrations of Sb(III) and TMSb(V) (all in μg L −1 range). An unidentified Sb compound in the plant extracts was detected, which slightly differ in elution time from TMSb(V).

Potential Negative Consequences of Adding Phosphorus‐Based Fertilizers to Immobilize Lead in Soil

A study of the potential negative consequences of adding phosphate (P)-based fertilizers as amendments to immobilize lead (Pb) in contaminated soils was conducted. Lead-contaminated firing range soils also contained elevated concentrations of antimony (Sb), a common Pb hardening agent, and some arsenic (As) of unknown (possibly background) origin. After amending the soils with triple superphosphate, a relatively soluble P source, column leaching experiments revealed elevated concentrations of Sb, As, and Pb in the leachate, reflecting an initial spike in soluble Pb and a particularly dramatic increase in Sb and As mobility. Minimal As, Sb, and Pb leaching was observed during column tests performed on non-amended control soils. In vitro extractions tests were performed to assess changes in Pb, As, and Sb bioaccessibility on P amendment. Lead bioaccessibility was systematically lowered with increasing P dosage, but there was much less of an effect on As and Sb bioaccessibility than on mobility. Our results indicate that although P amendments may aid in lowering the bioaccessibility of soil-bound Pb, it may also produce an initial increase in Pb mobility and a significant release of Sb and As from the soil, dramatically increasing their mobility and to a lesser extent their bioavailability.

Contamination of Bottled Waters with Antimony Leaching from Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Increases upon Storage

Antimony concentrations were determined in 132 brands of bottled water from 28 countries. Two of the brands were at or above the maximum allowable Sb concentration for drinking water in Japan (2 microg/L). Elevated concentrations of Sb in bottled waters are due mainly to the Sb2O3 used as the catalyst in the manufacture of polyethylene terephthalate (PET(E)). The leaching of Sb from PET(E) bottles shows variable reactivity. In 14 brands of bottled water from Canada, Sb concentrations increased on average 19% during 6 months storage at room temperature, but 48 brands of water from 11 European countries increased on average 90% under identical conditions. A mineral water from France in PET(E), purchased in Germany, yielded 725 ng/L when first tested, but 1510 ng/L when it was stored for 6 months at room temperature; the same brand of water, purchased in Hong Kong, yielded 1990 ng/L Sb. Pristine groundwater containing 1.7+/-0.4 ng/L Sb (n = 6) yielded 26.6+/-2.3 ng/L Sb (n = 3) after storage in PET(E) bottles from Canada for 6 months versus 281+/-38 ng/L Sb (n = 3) in PET(E) bottles from Germany. Tap water bottled commercially in PET(E) in December 2005 contained 450+/-56 ng/L Sb (n = 3) versus 70.3+/-0.3 ng/L Sb (n = 3) when sampled from a household faucet in the same village (Bammental, Germany), and 25.7+/-1.5 ng/L Sb (n = 3) from a local artesian flow.

Sulfur Isotope Geochemistry of the Supergiant Xikuangshan Sb Deposit, Central Hunan, China: Constraints on Sources of Ore Constituents

. The supergiant Xikuangshan Sb deposit is located in the Middle to Upper Devonian limestone of central Hunan, China. Primary ores are composed of early-stage stibnite and calcite with rare pyrite, early main-stage stibnite and quartz, and late main-stage stibnite and calcite. New sulfur isotope data reveal the clustering of δ34S values (+5 ∼ +8 %) for both early and late main-stage stibnite; a single early-stage stibnite exhibits δ34S value (+7.5 %) identical to its main ore-stage counterparts and the coexisting calcite has almost unmodified carbon isotope composition (-4.4 %). The data suggest a probable common source of sulfur for stibnite that was deposited at different paragenetic stages. A much wider variation in δ34S values for early main-stage stibnite (+3.5 to +16.3 %, av. +7.5 %) compared to that for late main-stage stibnite (+5.3 to +8.1 %, av. +6.2 %) can be interpreted to be due to local interaction of earlier ore fluid with Devonian host rocks. The previous studies show that the Precambrian basement contains elevated Sb concentrations, and two distinctive sulfur reservoirs with δ34Spyrite values at ca. +11 ∼ +24 % and -7.0 ∼-11 %. The homogenizing effect for sulfur hydrothermally leached from the two reservoirs might have provided ore constituents for the Xikuangshan fluids.

Contamination of Canadian and European bottled waters with antimony from PET containers

Using clean lab methods and protocols developed for measuring Sb in polar snow and ice, we report the abundance of Sb in fifteen brands of bottled water from Canada and forty-eight from Europe. Comparison with the natural abundance of Sb in pristine groundwaters, water bottled commercially in polypropylene, analyses of source waters prior to bottling, and addition of uncontaminated groundwater to PET bottles, provides unambiguous evidence of Sb leaching from the containers. In contrast to the pristine groundwater in Ontario, Canada containing 2.2 +/- 1.2 ng l(-1) Sb, 12 brands of bottled natural waters from Canada contained 156 +/- 86 ng l(-1) and 3 brands of deionized water contained 162 +/- 30 ng l(-1); all of these were bottled in PET containers. Natural water from Ontario bottled in polypropylene contained only 8.2 +/- 0.9 ng l(-1). Comparison of three German brands of water available in both glass bottles and PET containers showed that waters bottled in PET contained up to 30 times more Sb. To confirm that the elevated Sb concentrations are due to leaching from the PET containers, water was collected in acid-cleaned LDPE bottles from a commercial source in Germany, prior to bottling; this water was found to contain 3.8 +/- 0.9 ng l(-1) Sb (n = 5), compared with the same brand of water purchased locally in PET bottles containing 359 +/- 54 ng l(-1) (n = 6). This same brand of water in PET bottles, after an additional three months of storage at room temperature, yielded 626 +/- 15 ng l(-1) Sb (n = 3). Other German brands of water in PET bottles contained 253-546 ng l(-1) Sb (n = 5). The median concentration of Sb in thirty-five brands of water bottled in PET from eleven other European countries was 343 ng l(-1) (n = 35). As an independent check of the hypothesis that Sb is leaching from PET, the pristine groundwater from Canada (containing 2.2 +/- 1.2 ng l(-1) Sb) was collected from the source using PET bottles from Germany: this water contained 50 +/- 17 ng l(-1) Sb (n = 2) after only 37 days, even though it was stored in the refrigerator, and 566 ng l(-1) after six months storage at room temperature.

Studies on Speciation of Antimony in Soil Contaminated by Industrial Activity

Antimony is a toxic trace element of growing environmental interest due to its increased anthropogenic input into the environment. Very little is known about the chemical and biological behavior of antimony compounds in soils and sediments. Three soil samples with substantially elevated Sb concentrations (area contaminated by extensive industrial use of Sb compounds), and a soil standard reference material have been analyzed by using conventional single and sequential extraction procedures in order to get information about the chemical forms and availability of Sb in the soil. The antimony concentrations in the extraction solutions were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Additionally, Sb(III) and Sb(V) were determined in some extracts by using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled on-line to the ICP-MS (HPLC-ICP-MS). The total Sb concentrations were in the upper mg kg−1 range, but only small amounts were found to be easily available from the soils. The main antimony was bound to relatively immobile Fe and Al oxides. Substantial amounts were also found in the alkaline and EDTA extracts, indicating association of Sb to organic substances. Although contamination was caused by the production of Sb(III) compounds, Sb(III) was not dedected in any of the extracts. The behavior of Sb(III) (as Sb(III) tartrate and Sb2O3) and Sb(V) (as Sb(OH)6 −) added to the soil samples was investigated in detail.

Determination of antimony species with high-performance liquid chromatography using element specific detection

A new method for the fast and simultaneous determination of Sb(III) and Sb(V) is presented involving the use of anion exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), a complexing reagent in the mobile phase, and element specific detection with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) or inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Chromatographic parameters such as nature and concentration of the complexing and eluting compounds and pH of the mobile phase were investigated in detail. Additionally, the separation of inorganic Sb(III) and Sb(V) from organically bounded antimony (as (CH3)3SbCl2 and (CH3)3Sb(OH)2) was investigated by using anion, and cation exchange, and reversed phase HPLC. Best separation was obtained with anion exchange HPLC under alkaline conditions. Cation exchange and reversed-phase HPLC were not useful for the separation of the above compounds. With FAAS concentrations in the upper mg L–1 range are detectable, which is not sensitive enough for the analyses of environmental samples. When the chromatographic system was coupled to ICP-MS, the detection limits are in the lower μg L–1 range. The method was applied to various environmental samples with anthropogenic and naturally elevated Sb concentrations.

Multielement analysis of fingernail, scalp hair and water samples from Egypt (a preliminary study)

Scalp hair, fingernail and water samples collected from different parts of Egypt are analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and neutron activation analysis. The results for hair show minimum variation of Zn among different regions; a relatively well-controlled dispersion of values (maximum to minimum <2) for Co, Fe, Mn and Se; an overall inter-regional variation of factors of 7, 10, 6, 4 and 6 for the elements Ag, Cd, Cs, Sc and W, respectively; a steady decline in the concentration of Sc from south (Aswan) to north (Alexandria). The findings for nail show a steady decline in the concentration of Fe and Sc from south (Aswan) to north (Alexandria); elevated levels of Cd in samples from Aswan area; and regional variations extending up to factors of 6.5, 3.6, 4.7, 5.0, 4.4, 4.5 and 1.9 for Co, Cr, Cs, Mn, Mo, W and Zn, respectively. No unified relationship is observed between the elemental compositions of hair and nail. For Cr, Cs, Fe, Sb and Sc mean values for hair are lower than in nails. Among the remaining elements the ratio nail/hair is <1 for Ag in Assiut, El Kharga and Alexandria, for Cd in all of the areas with the exception of Aswan, for Co, Mn and Mo in Cairo, for Zn in Cairo and Alexandria, and for W in Alexandria. The data for water samples reflect highest concentration of all the measured elements in the Mediterranean sea; a steady increase of the concentration of Cu in drinking water from south to north and for Nile water a similar trend for Ca and Mg; and elevated concentrations of Sb and Mn in river water. No distinct trend for the interrelationship between water and tissue elemental concentrations could be established for the regions around Cairo, Aswan and Alexandria.