Aqueous Sb may result from both natural and human processes. The World Health Organization established guideline values of 20 μg/L Sb for drinking water. Concentrations of Sb above drinking water standards may occur in water draining abandoned mines. The Sb occurrence in water and potential dispersion in the atmosphere were investigated in the Su Suergiu area (Sardinia, Italy). The Su Suergiu Sb ores were exploited since 1880 until 1980, with mining and processing residues abandoned on site. Surface waters downstream of the mine show high concentrations of Sb (up to 1500 µg/L). Contamination extends several km downstream of the mine and affects the Flumendosa river, which water is used for irrigation and domestic purposes. Dust materials deposited on leave samples collected in the mine area carry 70 µg/kg Sb, as compared to 7 µg/kg Sb observed on leaves collected on slopes upstream mine.
Antimony dispersion at abandoned mines in Sardinia, Italy
CIDU, ROSA;BIDDAU, RICCARDO;DORE, ELISABETTA;VACCA, ANDREA
2013-01-01
Abstract
Aqueous Sb may result from both natural and human processes. The World Health Organization established guideline values of 20 μg/L Sb for drinking water. Concentrations of Sb above drinking water standards may occur in water draining abandoned mines. The Sb occurrence in water and potential dispersion in the atmosphere were investigated in the Su Suergiu area (Sardinia, Italy). The Su Suergiu Sb ores were exploited since 1880 until 1980, with mining and processing residues abandoned on site. Surface waters downstream of the mine show high concentrations of Sb (up to 1500 µg/L). Contamination extends several km downstream of the mine and affects the Flumendosa river, which water is used for irrigation and domestic purposes. Dust materials deposited on leave samples collected in the mine area carry 70 µg/kg Sb, as compared to 7 µg/kg Sb observed on leaves collected on slopes upstream mine.
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