The solid-state partitioning, distribution, and mineralogical associations of arsenic and antimony: Integrated findings from the Altiplano Puna, South America and international comparisons Show others and affiliations
2022 (English) In: Journal of South American Earth Sciences, ISSN 0895-9811, E-ISSN 1873-0647, Vol. 114, article id 103713Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb) are potentially hazardous metalloids and their presence in the environment is often related to mineral deposits, mines, and thermal springs. Despite their similar chemical properties, the distribution and behavior of As and Sb in nature has been shown to differ. In order to contribute to a better understanding of As and Sb in the environment as well as the important parameters controlling their mobility, this study presents a synthesis of geochemical results in the Altiplano-Puna of Chile and Bolivian Sb belt. Ana-lyses include (i) solid-state partitioning, (ii) mineralogical studies and (iii) concentrations of both metalloids in groundwater, surface water, porewater, and fluvial and lake sediments in distinct seasons. Consistencies were found between the mobilization patterns of As and Sb in the studied sites where As is generally more mobile than Sb; however, mining-affected areas in the Bolivian Sb belt tend to be associated with a higher proportion of mobile Sb. From a mineralogical standpoint, As is generally associated with iron oxides and hydroxides and As-bearing pyrites, while Sb is linked to iron oxides, hydroxides, and clay-sized phyllosilicates. When compared to different metallogenic settings outside the Altiplano-Puna plateau (the Loa River Basin of northern Chile and Xikuangshan Mine in China), the following conclusions are consistent with the results obtained from the Altiplano-Puna: dissolved Sb concentrations tend to decrease with distance from the respective mining facility, the mobility of Sb is typically lower than As, and the preferred mineralogical associations are iron oxides and hydroxides. Finally, based on the seasonal analysis of As and Sb, it is conceptualized that wetlands behave as a source of As and as a sink and source of Sb depending on the water column; in addition, consideration must be taken regarding aeolian weathering.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages Elsevier BV , 2022. Vol. 114, article id 103713
Keywords [en]
Arsenic, Antimony, Mining, Metallogenic provinces, Metalloids mobility, Altiplano-Puna, Bolivian Sb belt
National Category
Oceanography, Hydrology and Water Resources Geology
Identifiers URN: urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-312230 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsames.2022.103713 ISI: 000782408400006 Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85123732337 OAI: oai:DiVA.org:kth-312230 DiVA, id: diva2:1658254
Note QC 20220516
2022-05-162022-05-162022-06-25 Bibliographically approved