Total Sb Concentrations Research Articles

Mobility and phytoavailability of antimony in an area impacted by a former stibnite mine exploitation

A mining area affected by the abandoned mine exploitation of a stibnite deposit was studied to establish the current and eventual environmental risks and to propose possible remediation practices. Soil and plant samples were collected at different places in this area and analyzed for their Sb content and distribution. Critical soil total concentrations of Sb were found, with values ranging from 585 to 3184mgkg−1 dry weight in the uppermost soil layer, and decreasing progressively with soil depth. The readily labile Sb contents represent <2% of the total concentrations, whereas the soil Sb contents more susceptible of being mobilized under changing environmental conditions attain values of about 4–9% of the total concentrations. Remediation measures should be undertaken to limit off-site migration of Sb. Within the tolerant plant community growing in this area, the shrub Daphne gnidium L. stands out for its relatively high root Sb accumulation and low Sb translocation, suggesting its feasibility to be used in Sb phytostabilization strategies.

Antimony, arsenic and lead distribution in soils and plants of an agricultural area impacted by former mining activities

An agricultural area impacted by the former exploitation of an arsenical lead-antimony deposit was studied in order to assess the current and eventual environmental and health impacts. Samples of soils and cultivated (wheat) and spontaneously growing plants were collected at different distances from the mine pits and analyzed for the toxic element content and distribution. The soil total concentrations of Sb, As and Pb found in the uppermost soil layer (14.1–324, 246–758 and 757–10,660mgkg−1, respectively) greatly surpass their maximum tolerable levels in agricultural soils. Wheat grain Pb concentrations (0.068–1.36mgkg−1) exceed the prescribed health standard, whereas Sb (<0.05–0.103mgkg−1) and As (<0.05–0.126mgkg−1) concentrations are below the permissible limits fixed for cereals. Of the spontaneously growing plants, Dactylis glomerata L. shows a relatively high root Pb accumulation and a very low Pb translocation, suggesting its feasibility to be used in Pb phytostabilization strategies.

Changes in Sb speciation with waterlogging of shooting range soils and impacts on plant uptake

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the solubility and redox species of antimony (Sb) in a relocated shooting range soil and its uptake by Lolium perenne L. and Holcus lanatus L. under different water regimes. After 1-week waterlogging, the total Sb concentration in soil solution decreased from ∼110 μg L−1 to <20 μg L−1, and slowly increased over the following 4 weeks, with the dissolution of Fe and Mn (hydr)oxides. In this process, half of the Sb in soil solution was reduced to Sb(III), which greatly affected the plant uptake of Sb. Waterlogging increased shoot Sb concentrations of L. perenne by ∼10 fold but decreased uptake in H. lanatus by 80%. Results indicate that Sb might primarily be taken up as Sb(III) by L. perenne and as Sb(V) by H. lanatus. Temporary waterlogging of soil may increase the risk of trace elements entering the food chain.

Accumulation of Sb, Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd by various plants species on two different relocated military shooting range soils

Annually, more than 400 t Pb and 10 t Sb enter Swiss soils at some 2000 military shooting ranges. After the decommission of military shooting ranges, heavily contaminated soils (>2000 mg kg(-1) Pb) are landfilled or processed by soil washing, whereas for soils with less contamination, alternate strategies are sought. Although the use of military shooting ranges for grazing in Switzerland is common practice, no assessment has been done about the uptake of Sb in plants and its subsequent potential intake by grazing animals. We determined the uptake of Sb, Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd in the aboveground biomass of nine plant species growing on a calcareous (Chur) and a weakly acidic (Losone) military shooting range soil in order to assess if grazing would be safe to employ on decommissioned military shooting ranges. The two soils did not differ in their total concentrations of Cu, Zn, Sb and Cd, they differed however in the total concentration of Pb. Additionally, their physical and chemical properties were significantly different. The accumulation of Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb in the shoots of all nine plant species remained below the Swiss tolerance values for fodder plants (150 mg kg(-1) Zn, 15-35 mg kg(-1) Cu, 40 mg kg(-1) Pb, and 1 mg kg(-1) Cd DW), with the only exception of Pb in Chenopodium album shoots which reached a concentration of 62 mg kg(-1) DW. Antimony concentrations were 1.5-2.6-fold higher in plants growing on the calcareous soil than on the weakly acidic soil. Considering Cu, Zn, Pb, Sb and Cd, all plants, with the exception C. album, would be suitable for grazing on similar shooting range soils.

Characteristics of Heavy Metals Contamination and Distribution in Shooting Range: A Case Study

In order to study heavy metals’ pollution characteristics in soil of a small arms shooting range, soil samples at surfaces and different depths were collected from a shooting range located in suburb of Beijing and analyzed for heavy metals (Pb、Cd、Cu、Zn、P、As、Hg and Sb). Site investigation results showed that the soil in the shooting range was seriously polluted by Pb bullets, and there are positive correlations between total concentrations of Hg, Cu, Pb, Zn, Sb and Pb in soil particles less than 2mm, indicating soil heavy metals’ combined pollution characteristics.

Distribution, speciation and availability of antimony (Sb) in soils and terrestrial plants from an active Sb mining area

Here, we present one of the first studies investigating the mobility, solubility and the speciation-dependent in-situ bioaccumulation of antimony (Sb) in an active Sb mining area (Xikuangshan, China). Total Sb concentrations in soils are high (527–11,798 mg kg−1), and all soils, including those taken from a paddy field and a vegetable garden, show a high bioavailable Sb fraction (6.3–748 mg kg−1), dominated by Sb(V). Elevated concentrations in native plant species (109–4029 mg kg−1) underpin this. Both chemical equilibrium studies and XANES data suggest the presence of Ca[Sb(OH)6]2, controlling Sb solubility. A very close relationship was found between the citric acid extractable Sb in plants and water or sulfate extractable Sb in soil, indicating that citric acid extractable Sb content in plants may be a better predictor for bioavailable Sb in soil than total acid digestible Sb plant content.

Arsenic and Antimony in Groundwater Flow Systems: A Comparative Study

Arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb) concentrations and speciation were determined along flow paths in three groundwater flow systems, the Carrizo Sand aquifer in southeastern Texas, the Upper Floridan aquifer in south-central Florida, and the Aquia aquifer of coastal Maryland, and subsequently compared and contrasted. Previously reported hydrogeochemical parameters for all three aquifer were used to demonstrate how changes in oxidation–reduction conditions and solution chemistry along the flow paths in each of the aquifers affected the concentrations of As and Sb. Total Sb concentrations (SbT) of groundwaters from the Carrizo Sand aquifer range from 16 to 198 pmol kg−1; in the Upper Floridan aquifer, SbT concentrations range from 8.1 to 1,462 pmol kg−1; and for the Aquia aquifer, SbT concentrations range between 23 and 512 pmol kg−1. In each aquifer, As and Sb (except for the Carrizo Sand aquifer) concentrations are highest in the regions where Fe(III) reduction predominates and lower where SO4 reduction buffers redox conditions. Groundwater data and sequential analysis of the aquifer sediments indicate that reductive dissolution of Fe(III) oxides/oxyhydroxides and subsequent release of sorbed As and Sb are the principal mechanism by which these metalloids are mobilized. Increases in pH along the flow path in the Carrizo Sand and Aquia aquifer also likely promote desorption of As and Sb from mineral surfaces, whereas pyrite oxidation mobilizes As and Sb within oxic groundwaters from the recharge zone of the Upper Floridan aquifer. Both metalloids are subsequently removed from solution by readsorption and/or coprecipitation onto Fe(III) oxides/oxyhydroxides and mixed Fe(II)/Fe(III) oxides, clay minerals, and pyrite. Speciation modeling using measured and computed Eh values predicts that Sb(III) predominate in Carrizo Sand and Upper Floridan aquifer groundwaters, occurring as the Sb(OH) 3 0 species in solution. In oxic groundwaters from the recharge zones of these aquifers, the speciation model suggests that Sb(V) occurs as the negatively charged Sb(OH) 6 − species, whereas in sufidic groundwaters from both aquifers, the thioantimonite species, HSb2S4 − and Sb2S4 2−, are predicted to be important dissolved forms of Sb. The measured As and Sb speciation in the Aquia aquifer indicates that As(III) and Sb(III) predominate. Comparison of the speciation model results based on measured Eh values, and those computed with the Fe(II)/Fe(III), S(-II)/SO4, As(III)/As(V), and Sb(III)/Sb(V) couples, to the analytically determined As and Sb speciation suggests that the Fe(II)/Fe(III), S(-II)/SO4 couples exert more control on the in situ redox condition of these groundwaters than either metalloid redox couple.

Characterization and metal availability of copper, lead, antimony and zinc contamination at four Canadian small arms firing ranges

Backstop soils of four small‐arms firing ranges (SAFRs) of the Canadian Force Bases (CFBs) were characterized in terms of their total soil Cu, Pb, Sb and Zn concentrations, grain size distribution, mineralogy, chemical properties, vertical in‐depth contamination distribution (for one CFB), and scanning electron microscope (SEM–EDS) characterization. Metal availability from the soils was evaluated with three leaching tests: the toxicity characteristics leaching procedure (TCLP), representing a landfill leachate; the synthetic precipitation leaching procedure (SPLP), representing field conditions; and the gastric juice simulation test (GJST), representing the leachate of the human stomach during the digestive process and, therefore, the potential metal transfer to humans in the case of soil ingestion. Metal analyses of soils and leaching test extracts were conducted with an Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP‐AES) instrument. Total soil results showed maximal concentrations of 27,100 mg/kg for Pb, 7720 mg/kg for Cu, 1080 mg/kg for Zn, and 570 mg/kg for Sb. The SEM–EDS analysis showed significant amounts of lead carbonates, which resulted from the alteration of the initial metallic Pb particles. Metal availability evaluation with the leaching tests showed that TCLP Pb and Sb thresholds were exceeded. For the SPLP and the GJST, the drinking water thresholds of the Ministère du Développement Durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs (MDDEP) of Québec were exceeded by Pb and Sb. The metal availability assessment showed that SAFR backstop soils may pose a potential risk to the environment, groundwater and humans, and affect the management of such soils in order to minimize potential metal dispersion in the environment.

Hollow fiber supported liquid membrane extraction coupled with thermospray flame furnace atomic absorption spectrometry for the speciation of Sb(III) and Sb(V) in environmental and biological samples

A new method of hollow fiber supported liquid membrane extraction (HF-SLME) coupled with thermospray flame furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (TS-FF-AAS) for the speciation of Sb(III) and Sb(V) in environmental and biological samples has been developed. The method is based on the complex of Sb(III) with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC). The formed hydrophobic complex is subsequently extracted into the lumen of hollow fiber, whereas Sb(V) is remained in aqueous solutions. The extraction organic phase was injected into TS-FF-AAS for the determination of Sb(III). Total Sb concentration was determined after reduction of Sb(V) to Sb(III) in the presence of l-cysteine and the extraction procedure mentioned above. Sb(V) was calculated by subtracting of Sb(III) from the total Sb. DDTC was used as complexing reagent. 1-Octanol was immobilized in the pores of the polypropylene hollow fiber as liquid membrane and also used as the acceptor solution. Some parameters that influenced extraction and determination were evaluated in detail, such as concentration of sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC), type of organic solvent, pH of samples, stirring rates, extraction time, as well as interferences. Under optimized conditions, a detection limit of 0.8 ng mL −1 and an enrichment factor of 160 were achieved. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was 6.2% for Sb(III) (50 ng mL −1, n = 5). The proposed method was successfully applied to the speciation of Sb(III) and Sb(V) in environmental and biological samples with satisfactory results.

Short-term temporal variations in speciation of Pb, Cu, Zn and Sb in a shooting range runoff stream

This study was designed to explore the changes in physico-chemical forms of Pb, Cu, Zn and Sb in a stream draining a contaminated shooting range, located at Steinsjøen in the South-Eastern part of Norway, during a period of 21 days. To obtain information on the element species distribution, an interphased size and charge fractionation system was applied, where membrane filtration (0.45 µm) and ultrafiltration using hollow fibre (nominal cut off 10 kDa) were performed prior to charge fractionation using chromatography (cationic and anionic exchange resins). The results show that Pb mainly was present as particulate and colloidal high molecular mass (HMM) species, Cu as colloidal (HMM) and low molecular mass (LMM) species, while Sb and Zn were mainly present as LMM species. The total element concentrations of Pb, Cu, Zn and Sb were positively correlated to water flow and dissolved organic carbon (DOC), suggesting these are important factors in controlling the run-off of the investigated elements in this catchment. During episodes of higher water flow, the increase in element concentration was mainly in the colloidal fraction. Partial redundancy analysis (pRDA) revealed that variations in pH, HMM organic carbon (HMM OC) and LMM organic carbon (LMM OC) explained 47% of the variation in size distribution of the elements, while variations in precipitation and water flow explained 48% of the variation in the charge distribution of the elements. The variation in concentrations during the period varied by a factor of 4, also stressing the importance of frequent sampling opposed to spot sampling in environmental surveys and risk assessments.

Pollution of montane soil with Cu, Zn, As, Sb, Pb, and nitrate in Kanto, Japan

Soil cores and rainwater were sampled under canopies of Cryptomeria japonica in four montane areas along an atmospheric depositional gradient in Kanto, Japan. Soil cores (30cm in depth) were divided into 2-cm or 4-cm segments for analysis. Vertical distributions of elemental enrichment ratios in soils were calculated as follows: (X/Al)i/(X/Al)BG (where the numerator and denominator are concentration ratios of element-X and Al in the i- and bottom segments of soil cores, respectively). The upper 14-cm soil layer showed higher levels of Cu, Zn, As, Sb, and Pb than the lower (14–30cm) soil layer. In the four areas, the average enrichment ratios in the upper 6-cm soil layer were as follows: Pb (4.93)≥Sb (4.06)≥As (3.04)>Zn (1.71)≥Cu (1.56). Exogenous elements (kg/ha) accumulated in the upper 14-cm soil layer were as follows: Zn (26.0)>Pb (12.4)>Cu (4.48)≥As (3.43)≥Sb (0.49). These rank orders were consistent with those of elements in anthropogenic aerosols and polluted (roadside) air, respectively, indicating that air pollutants probably caused enrichment of these elements in the soil surface layer. Approximately half of the total concentrations of As, Sb, and Pb in the upper 14-cm soil layer were derived from exogenous (anthropogenic) sources. Sb showed the highest enrichment factor in anthropogenic aerosols, and shows similar deposition behavior to NO3−, which is a typical acidic air pollutant. There was a strong correlation between Sb and NO3− concentrations in rainfall (e.g., in the throughfall under C. japonica: [NO3−]=21.1 [dissolved Sb], r=0.938, p<0.0001, n=182). Using this correlation, total (cumulative) inputs of NO3− were estimated from the accumulated amounts of exogenous Sb in soils, i.e., 16.7t/ha at Mt. Kinsyo (most polluted), 8.6t/ha at Mt. Tsukuba (moderately polluted), and 5.8t/ha at the Taga mountain system (least polluted). There are no visible ecological effects of these accumulated elements in the Kanto region at present. However, the concentrations of some elements are within a harmful range, according to the Ecological Soil Screening Levels determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Antimony speciation and contamination of waters in the Xikuangshan antimony mining and smelting area, China

Water samples from Xikuangshan (China), the world largest antimony (Sb) mine with a Sb mining and smelting history of more than 200 years, were analyzed. These water samples ranged from stream water in the vicinity of the mining and smelting area that received seepage from ore residues to the underground mine-pit drainage. The concentrations of total Sb, Sb (III) and Sb (V) of the samples were determined by HPLC-ICP-MS. In addition, water pH and concentrations of major cations and anions were analyzed. All 18 samples demonstrated total Sb concentrations with ppm levels from 0.33 ppm to 11.4 ppm, which is two to three orders of magnitude higher compared to the typical concentration of dissolved Sb in unpolluted rivers (less than 1 ppb). This is probably the first time that such high Sb contents have been documented with complete environmental information. Distribution of total Sb and Sb species was investigated, taking into account the respective local environment (in the mining area or close to the smelter, etc.). Sb (V) was the predominant valence in all 18 samples. Only trace levels of Sb (III) were detected in 4 of the 18 samples. Geochemical speciation modeling showed the dominant species was Sb(OH)(6)(-). It is also probably the first time that such high Sb contents have been documented in the natural environment with Sb speciation distribution information. Several potential oxidation pathways are also discussed that might have facilitated the oxidation of Sb (III) in the natural environment. Signs of intoxication were observed among local mine workers with extensive exposure to different forms of Sb for a long period of time.

Concentration distributions of dissolved Sb(III) and Sb(V) species in size-classified inhalable airborne particulate matter

In order to obtain more accurate assessments of global contamination by potentially toxic antimony (Sb) and the toxicological effects of Sb on ecosystems, speciation analysis of inorganic Sb species in size-classified airborne particulate matter (APM) was performed. Thirteen fractions of size-classified APM (with aerodynamic diameters: Dp 11 μm) were collected on a filter by using a multistage cascade impactor sampler. Speciation analysis of inorganic Sb(III) and Sb(V) was performed by using HPLC-ICP-MS. Portions of sample-loaded filters were sonicated with 30 mmol l−1 citric acid under purified N2 in order to avoid the oxidation of Sb(III) to Sb(V) during the extraction process. Sb(III) and Sb(V) were separated on a PRP-X100 anion exchange column using a mixture of 10 mmol l−1 EDTA and 1 mmol l−1 phthalic acid (pH 4.5) as a mobile phase, and they were subsequently detected by ICP-MS. The size distributions of the total Sb concentration exhibit a bimodal profile in which peaks corresponded to fine (0.50–0.70 μm) and coarse (3.6–5.2 μm) fractions. The speciation analysis demonstrated for the first time that Sb(III), which is the more toxic form, is dominated by coarse fractions whereas Sb(V) is distributed in both the fine and coarse fractions. The presented high-resolution size distributions of inorganic Sb species will provide helpful information in discussing both health risks by inhalation exposure to Sb and the extent of the effects of emission sources by atmospheric circulation.

Monitoring of total and bioavailable heavy metals concentration in agricultural soils

The aim of this paper is to evaluate total and bioavailable concentration of heavy metals in agricultural soils in order to estimate their distribution, to identify the possible correlations among toxic elements and the pollution sources, to distinguish the samples in relation to sampling site or to sampling depth, and to evaluate the available fraction providing information about the risky for plants. In particular, we reinvestigated total concentrations of As, Be, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, V, and Zn and available concentrations of As, Be, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Zn in soil from Apulia (Southern Italy). Analytical results showed that total concentrations, for all soils, are in the range permitted by regulations in force in Italy, but some soils evidence slight enrichment of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn. All the heavy metals in the available fraction were below the detection limits of the analytical techniques used except Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn.

Determination of phytoextraction potential of plant species for toxic elements in soils of abandoned sulphide-mining areas

This study has determined contamination levels in soils and plants from the Sao Domingos mining area, Portugal, by k 0-INAA. Total concentrations of As, Sb, Cr, Hg, Cu, Zn and Fe in soils were very high, exceeding the maximum limits in Portuguese legislation. Concentrations of toxic elements like As, Sb and Zn were highest in roots of Erica andevalensis, Juncus acutus, Agrostis castellana and Nicotiana glauca. Additionally, As, Br, Cr, Fe, Sb and Zn in all organs of most plants were above toxicity levels. Those species that accumulated relatively high concentrations of toxic elements in roots (and tops) may be cultivated for phytostabilisation of similar areas.

Spectrophotometric determination of Sb(III) and Sb(V) in biological samples after micelle-mediated extraction

This work presents a micelle-mediated extraction method for simultaneous preconcentration and determination of Sb(III) and Sb(V) species in biological samples as a prior preconcentration step to their spectrophotometric determination. The analytical system is based on the selective reaction between Sb(III) and bromopyrogallol red (BPR) in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and potassium iodide at pH 6.4. Total Sb concentration was determined after reduction of Sb(V) to Sb(III) in the presence of potassium iodide and ascorbic acid. The optimal extraction and reaction conditions were studied and the analytical characteristics of the method (e.g., limit of detection, linear range, preconcentration factor, and improvement factors) were obtained. Linearity for Sb(III) and Sb(V) were obeyed in the range of 0.2–20.0 ng mL −1 and 0.4–25.0 ng mL −1, respectively. The detection limit for the determination of Sb(III) and Sb(V) were 0.05 ng mL −1 and 0.08 ng mL −1, respectively. The interference effect of some anions and cations was also studied. The method was applied to the determination of Sb(III) in the presence of Sb(V) and total antimony in blood plasma and urine samples.

Assessment of Aliphatic and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Trace Elements in Coastal Sediments of the Saronikos Gulf, Greece (Eastern Mediterranean)

Surface sediments from the Saronikos Gulf were analyzed for their aliphatic hydrocarbon (AHC) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The concentrations of Fe, Cr, As, Sb, Co and Sc were also determined by neutron activation analysis (NAA). The survey was performed at the beginning of the operation of Athens’ sewage primary treatment unit and the results can be used to monitor the unit's long-term effects in the area. The composition of aliphatic hydrocarbons indicated a chronic oil-pollution in the Saronikos Gulf sediments. The industrially impacted Elefsis Bay sediments suffered from heavy petroleum pollution, while the sediments near the sewage outfall had a moderate degree of pollution. Mixed source patterns of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with dominant pyrolytic inputs have been identified in the sediments. Total concentrations of Fe, As and Sb along with their Sc normalized values presented elevated values in Elefsis Bay sediments. Chromium was found enriched in the sediments near the Athens sewage outfall. Factor analysis results showed that a part of As and Sb in Elefsis Bay sediments could be associated with organic or sulphidic phases. In addition, the lithogenic fraction of the sediments and the Fe oxides/hydroxides were important trace element carriers. Chromium and PAH inputs from the sewage outfall were also detected. Comparison of PAH and trace element concentrations with internationally-used sediment quality guidelines (SQG) revealed that Elefsis Bay sediments had the greatest potential of causing adverse effects in benthic organisms.

Antimony and Heavy Metals Accumulation in Some Macroinvertebrates in the Yesilirmak River (N Turkey) near the Sb-mining Area

All aquatic invertebrates accumulate trace metals in their bodies whether or not these metals are essential to metabolism. Antimony is a trace element with quite low content in the earth’s crust about 0.2 ppm. Antimony is considered geochemically immobile (Ainsworth et al. 1991). Nevertheless, mobility and the biological role of Sb, its behavior and transfer into food chain, are not well known (Baroni et al. 2000). Total Sb concentrations in natural waters have been reported to be in the range of 0.01–1.1 mg/L (US EPA 1996). Acutely toxic concentrations of Sb are in the range of 22–36 mg/L fish (Lin and Hwang 1998), and 9–20 mg/L for daphnids (Anderson 2000), although the toxicity database is small. All these concentrations are above the typical range of concentrations in mine effluents. Therefore, Sb is unlikely to contribute appreciably to effluent acute toxicity. The aquatic toxicity database for Sb and the knowledge of species effluents from Sb mine are limited. Antimony accumulation is not often studied for aquatic invertebrate and macrophytes (Sanders and Cope 1968; Murphy et al. 2002). A decline in biodiversity of macroinvertebrate communities has generally related to metal pollution (Hill et al. 1997; Mori et al. 1999) but Sb is not often studied in contrast to Zn, Cu and Cd (Mori et al. 1999). Metals such as Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb are known to be especially high in association with mining activities (Axtmann et al. 1997; Pestana et al. 1997; Quinn et al. 2003). Aquatic invertebrates are often excellent bioindicators of trace element pollution in aquatic ecosystems (Cain et al. 1992). They take up trace elements directly from water and sediments and diet and serve as a tropic link to higher food chain organisms such as fish and aquatic birds (Wayland and Crosley 2006). This work presents total Sb, Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu accumulation in water, sediments, some macroinvertebrate from active antimony mining area. We were interested in comparing heavy metal levels between mine impacted and non impacted sites. Also, this study addresses the impact of Sb-mining on biological components of macroinvertebrate of this part of Yesilirmak River.

Determination of the geochemical background in a metal mining site: example of the mining district of Linares (South Spain)

The study region is situated in the mining district of Linares (province of Jaén, South Spain) and it is characterised by the presence of important seams of galena. The mining, minerallurgic and metallurgic activities in the area, as well as the local geological (metallogenetic) conditions, are important sources of heavy metals in the environment, resulting in considerable soil contamination. The study area occupies a surface area of 126 km 2, divided into grid squares of 1 km 2 for soil sampling, in order to characterise the geochemical background of this abandoned mining region. The soil samples were analysed for total concentrations of 32 elements; the discussion focuses on eight in particular (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag, As, Cd, Sb and Mn), these being the main elements associated with human activity. The mean contents of all these elements exceed the Clarke comparison values for trace elements in acid igneous rocks. The total concentrations of Pb, Ag, As, Cd and Sb are especially high. In this very complex zone, on the basis of cluster analysis and of field observations, the local background contents of each geological substrate are defined, distinguishing the different types of activity that took place in the zone and different degrees of intensity.

Development of a reversed FIA system for the spectrophotometric determination of Sb(III) and total Sb in antileishmanial drugs

This paper reports the development of a reversed flow injection system for the spectrophotometric determination of Sb(III) and total Sb in antileishmanial drugs. The analytical system is based on the selective reaction between Sb(III) and bromopyrogallol red (BPR) with the decrease of the absorbance at 555 nm. Total Sb concentration was determined after reduction of all Sb(V) to Sb(III) with KI and ascorbic acid. The influence of system variables (chemical and flow type) and the possible interference of high amounts of Sb(V) on Sb(III) was studied as well as the suitable conditions for preparation of samples. It was verified that the use of Triton X-100 enhanced the sensitivity of the methodology and that the previous sonication of the samples was fundamental to achieve accurate results. Under optimized conditions the reversed FIA system was able to process 63 samples per hour with a detection limit of 29 ng ml −1 and a R.S.D. of 3.8% (0.25 μg ml −1 level). Real samples of commercial antileishmanial drugs were analyzed, being observed no statistical difference between the results obtained by the developed system and FAAS or manual methodology in relation to total Sb concentration.