Metalliods - Antimony
Mobilisation and dispersal of antimony from antimony-gold mineral deposits in circumneutral pH waters: environmental consequences in Australasia
Antimony bio-availability
In the riparian environment of the Bakers Creek-Macleay River system, there is evidence of strong uptake of Sb (and to a lesser extent, As) into common plant species. Distributions in plants closely mimic those of corresponding stream sediments, although values are typically 1-2 orders of magnitude lower. Sb values in plants are commonly 3-100x background values for over 50 km downstream of the Hillgrove mines. Similarly, uptake of Sb occurs in aquatic alga with values intermediate between corresponding stream waters and sediments, and up to 2 orders of magnitude above background values.
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Riparian vegetation (e.g. Persicaria; above left) and alga (above middle) create pathways for fluvial cycling of Sb, including into invertebrate and vertebrate fauna. On the Macleay floodplain (above right), potential mobility of Sb and As can occur due to uptake from sediments into pasture species, acid sulphate soils processes and variable flooding regimes, leading to pH and redox changes. The extent of transfer of Sb and As into grazing animals (cattle), commercial crops and fish remains unknown in the Macleay catchment.