11. Antimony speciation in water

摘要: Abstract In comparison with other metals few papers have been published on the selective determination of antimony species, reflecting lack knowledge its environmental chemistry. Nevertheless, interest in this toxic element, even at trace level, has grown over last decades as a consequence an increment industrial applications. Nowadays number applications such use Sb-Ga and Sb-In alloys semiconductors that are promising materials manufacture high speed computer chips [1] for optical information memories operated by laser signals (compact discs, digital recording devices, etc.). Antimony is also used certain therapeutic agents against major tropical parasitic diseases, although recent years it increasingly replaced agents, mainly antibiotics. Recently observed ammonium-5-tungsto-2-antimoniate effective inhibitor reverse transcriptase therefore possible utility AIDS virus [2]. released into environment from natural processes (e.g. weathering rocks soil runoff), mining effluents industry glasses, semiconductors, dyestuffs, ceramics fire retardants). particular case oxide main polluters smelting fossil fuel power stations. Around 3.8 10 g/year result human activities, may be transported long distances through atmosphere before accumulating soil, lichens, etc . For these reasons, compounds considered to pollutants priority US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Four species identified waters: Sb(III), Sb(V), monomethylstibonic acid dimethylstibinic acid. oxygenated waters predominant higher concentrations Sb(III) methylated than would expected thermodynamic calculations detected. This could attributed microbial activity, which suspected favour transformation detoxification mechanism since less inorganic ones. view toxicity (European Community Standards set maximum admissible level drinking surface water g.l 1 essential develop sensitive analytical methods samples. However, many instances, not sufficient determine total concentration antimony, different present sample must known, affects: a) (Sb(III) more Sb(V) [3] oxyanions normally organic [4]), b) metabolism: eliminated urine faeces [5], c) reactivity, e.g. stibine generated efficiently hydride generation [6]. The purpose chapter summarize discuss existing speciation water, order provide easy access topic all interested researchers.