Influence of redox changes on the behaviour of traffic-derived Sb and its mechanism by simulated waterlogged roadside soils

Geng Yana, M.L. Maob and L. Chena

a College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, China

b School of Environmental and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, China

yangeng@tongji.edu.cn

Soil contamination by antimony (Sb) released from brake wear has become an issue of public concern. Many of these soils are at least occasionally subject to waterlogging and the redox-sensitive metal-Sb may undergo speciation and mobility changes under periodic changes between oxic and anoxic conditions. However, the behaviour of traffic-related Sb and its controlling mechanisms are still poorly understood. We performed column experiments to investigate how redox conditions affect Sb leaching by simulated waterlogged roadside soils. Results showed clear on-off switch mobility behaviour for Sb under different redox conditions. Sb was mobilized under oxic conditions and Sb (V) was the main speciation in soil solution. With the development of anaerobic conditions upon waterlogging, Sb in leachate decreased under 5 ug/L and remained stable and the concentration of Sb(V) was lower than that under oxic condition. This was attributed to the reduction of Sb(V) to Sb(III) and the stronger sorption affinity of the latter to iron (Fe) (hydr)oxide phases. However, when the redox potential further decreased to Fe-reducing conditions, the concentration of Sb in leachate was increased. This may due to reductive dissolution of the iron (hydr)oxides.

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