Antimony speciation in the environment: Recent advances in understanding the biogeochemical processes and ecological effects
Mengchang He , Ningning Wang , Xiaojing Long , Chengjun Zhang , Congli Ma , Qianyun Zhong , Aihua Wang , Ying Wang , Aneesa Pervaiz , Jun Shan
DOI:10.1016/j.jes.2018.05.023
Received April 01, 2018,Revised January 01, 1900, Accepted May 28, 2018, Available online June 14, 2018
Volume 31,2019,Pages 14-39
Antimony (Sb) is a toxic metalloid, and its pollution has become a global environmental problem as a result of its extensive use and corresponding Sb-mining activities. The toxicity and mobility of Sb strongly depend on its chemical speciation. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the biogeochemical processes (including emission, distribution, speciation, redox, metabolism and toxicity) that trigger the mobilization and transformation of Sb from pollution sources to the surrounding environment. Natural phenomena such as weathering, biological activity and volcanic activity, together with anthropogenic inputs, are responsible for the emission of Sb into the environment. Sb emitted in the environment can adsorb and undergo redox reactions on organic or inorganic environmental media, thus changing its existing form and exerting toxic effects on the ecosystem. This review is based on a careful and systematic collection of the latest papers during 2010–2017 and our research results, and it illustrates the fate and ecological effects of Sb in the environment.
