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Antimony in the environment – the new global puzzle

Antimony in the environment – the new global puzzle Recent records in bogs [ 1 ] and Arctic polar ice cores [ 2 ] show a dramatic increase in antimony in the environment since the Industrial Revolution – probably because it is now being used extensively in industry [ 3 ] and for items such as car brake linings [ 4 ] and in fire retardants. [ 5 ] Air analyses in major cities show very high concentrations of antimony in air particulates, [ 6 ] and soil samples near motorways show enrichment in antimony. [ 7 ] As antimony has no known biological function, there is concern as to the long-term effects on ecosystems and humans from these increased levels. Many basic questions about the environmental chemistry of Sb remain unanswered, in particular, the factors that influence redox transformations in waters and soils and the formation of methylated species by organisms in landfills and sewage. [ 8 – 10 ] Its impact as an environmental contaminant is unclear and its toxicity to organisms is not well understood. Antimony is a global contaminant and there is an urgent need to improve our understanding of its biogeochemical cycling and behaviour, and risks associated with its presence in environmental http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Environmental Chemistry CSIRO Publishing

Antimony in the environment – the new global puzzle

Environmental Chemistry , Volume 6 (2) – Apr 27, 2009

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References (20)

Publisher
CSIRO Publishing
Copyright
CSIRO
ISSN
1448-2517
eISSN
1449-8979
DOI
10.1071/EN09036
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Recent records in bogs [ 1 ] and Arctic polar ice cores [ 2 ] show a dramatic increase in antimony in the environment since the Industrial Revolution – probably because it is now being used extensively in industry [ 3 ] and for items such as car brake linings [ 4 ] and in fire retardants. [ 5 ] Air analyses in major cities show very high concentrations of antimony in air particulates, [ 6 ] and soil samples near motorways show enrichment in antimony. [ 7 ] As antimony has no known biological function, there is concern as to the long-term effects on ecosystems and humans from these increased levels. Many basic questions about the environmental chemistry of Sb remain unanswered, in particular, the factors that influence redox transformations in waters and soils and the formation of methylated species by organisms in landfills and sewage. [ 8 – 10 ] Its impact as an environmental contaminant is unclear and its toxicity to organisms is not well understood. Antimony is a global contaminant and there is an urgent need to improve our understanding of its biogeochemical cycling and behaviour, and risks associated with its presence in environmental

Journal

Environmental ChemistryCSIRO Publishing

Published: Apr 27, 2009

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