Metalliods - Antimony
Mobilisation and dispersal of antimony from antimony-gold mineral deposits in circumneutral pH waters: environmental consequences in Australasia
Implications and Conclusions
Liberation of Sb (and As) into the environment is common from orogenic Sb-bearing ore deposits containing stibnite and Sb-bearing arsenopyrite.
Chemical mobilisation in solution and physical transport of mine wastes can lead to extensive dispersion of Sb and contamination of stream water and sediments, along with uptake into riparian vegetation and aquatic alga. Potentially, aquatic and terrestrial fauna can be affected with implications for bio-accumulation up the food chain.
The solubility of Sb is considerable in natural, circumneutral, oxidising fluids. It can also be enhanced by changes in pH and redox (e.g. (e.g. acid sulphate soil processes, mine waste treatments, land management techniques).
There is little that can be done practically and economically to catchments that have been subject to widespread historic contamination by Sb (and As). More needs to be discovered on biogeochemical pathways and toxicology, leading to development of appropriate management strategies.
Acknowledgements
Support for this project was given by NSW Department of Primary Industries, CSIRO Land and Water, and the Universities of New England and Otago. We would also like to thank the contributions of Ben Graham, Ben Wolfenden, Deb Chappell, Nat Wlson, Damian Walls, Lawrie Duck, Andrew Mundell, Peter Lockwood and Susan Wilson.
Stephen Read converted the poster into this web feature in May 2005. Some figures are linked to higher resolution versions - click on an image to see whether a clearer version is available.
Also see references