Antimony & compounds: Environmental effects
Description
Most antimony compounds show little or no tendency to accumulate in aquatic life. Some plants, mosses, lichens and fungi are able to accumulate antimony compounds.
Entering the environment
Little information is available on the transformations and transport of antimony in various environmental media (e.g. air, water, soil). The mobility of antimony in soils is not clearly understood. Some studies indicate that antimony is highly mobile, while others conclude that it strongly adsorbs to soil. In water, it usually adheres to sediments. Most antimony compounds show little or no tendency to accumulate in aquatic life.
Where it ends up
When released to air, antimony can attach itself to very small particles and may stay in the atmosphere for many days. It may be possible for these particles to be transported over long distances before they eventually settle. In soil, antimony is strongly attached to particles containing iron, manganese, or aluminium. Other factors influencing the strength of its adsorption are pH, organic matter content and oxidation state of the particular salt. Antimony is found at low levels in some rivers, lakes, and streams.
Environmental guidelines
Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters: (ANZECC, 1992):
Maximum of 30 micrograms/L (i.e. 0.00003 g/L) and 500 micrograms/L (i.e. 0.0005 g/L) respectively
Key
Links to an another web site
Opens a pop-up window
