Fixation, transformation, and mobilization of arsenic in sediments

• Published in: Environmental science & technology Vol. 21; no. 5; pp. 450 - 459
• Main Authors: Brannon, James M, Patrick, William H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 01.05.1987
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biological and physicochemical properties of pollutants. Interaction in the soil; Exact sciences and technology; Pollution; Soil and sediments pollution; Sediment water interaction; Arsenic; Soil pollution; Anaerobe; Pollutant behavior
• ISSN: 0013-936X; 1520-5851
• DOI: 10.1021/es00159a005

The transformation and fixation of arsenic(V) in anaerobic sediment, the long term release of natural and added arsenic, and sediment properties which affected the mobilization of arsenic(V), arsenic(III) and organic arsenic are reported. Arsenic in sediments was determined by extraction with various solvents according to conventional methods. Added arsenic was associated with iron and aluminium compounds. Addition of arsenic(V) prior to anaerobic incubation resulted in accumulation of arsenic(III) and organic arsenic in the interstitial water and the exchangeable phases of the anaerobic sediments. Mobilization of arsenic occurred over both short term and long term. Short term leaching of arsenic(III) was correlated with arsenic(III) concentrations in interstitial water and exchangeable phases, whereas long term release was related to total iron, extractable iron or calcium carbonate equivalent concentration. Arsenic leaching was most likely to be toxic during anaerobic conditions when arsenic(III) was released. There are 52 references.