Multiple Isotopes (Fe, S and C) to Reveal the Co-oxidation Mechanism of Fe(Ⅱ)-Sb(Ⅲ) in High Antimony Groundwater

Jun-mei ZHAO , Ya-ping LIU , Wei-jiao LI , Zi-yao LI , Tao-li MU , Chun-ming HAO , Hui-jun DONG

Science Technology and Engineering ›› 2025, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (17) : 7430 -7438.

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Science Technology and Engineering ›› 2025, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (17) : 7430-7438 DOI: 10.12404/j.issn.1671-1815.2406106
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Multiple Isotopes (Fe, S and C) to Reveal the Co-oxidation Mechanism of Fe(Ⅱ)-Sb(Ⅲ) in High Antimony Groundwater
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Abstract

The oxidation of Sb(Ⅲ) occurred rapidly in aerobic and dark groundwater environments, with previous studies suggesting that co-oxidation of Fe(Ⅱ) and Sb(Ⅲ) may be the predominant driving mechanism. However, there is a lack of field evidence confirming environmental isotope fractionation. Therefore, 20 groups of Magunao aquifer (water) samples were collected from the North mine of Xikuangshan antimony mining area in Hunan Province to compare the differences in environmental isotopes (δ56 Fe,δ13 C, and δ34 S) between high- and low-Sb groundwater and investigate the fractionation process of these isotopes. The results reveal that total Sb(TSb) concentrations ranged from 5.30 μg/L to 20 700 μg/L, with a mean concentration of 3 660.61 μg/L. Additionally, Sb(V) is found to be the most dominant valence state for Sb in water. The neutral-alkaline and oxygen-enriched conditions in water facilitate the co-oxidation of FeS2 and Sb2 S3, as well as induce fractionation of δ18 OSO4, δ34SSO4 and δ56Fe between sediments and groundwater, resulting in the increase of , total Fe (TFe) and Sb(Ⅴ) contents in high Sb groundwater. Furthermore, microbial activities promote the oxidative decomposition of organic carbon, thereby enhancing the co-oxidation rate of Fe(Ⅱ) and Sb(Ⅲ). This conclusion unveils a novel mechanism for aerobic oxidation of Sb(Ⅲ) in dark groundwater environments while providing a scientific foundation for advancing our understanding of the Sb geochemical cycle and preventing environmental pollution from high Sb groundwater.

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multiple isotopes / co-oxidation of Fe(Ⅱ) and Sb(Ⅲ) / oxidative decomposition of organic carbon / Sb(Ⅴ) / high-Sb groundwater

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Jun-mei ZHAO, Ya-ping LIU, Wei-jiao LI, Zi-yao LI, Tao-li MU, Chun-ming HAO, Hui-jun DONG. Multiple Isotopes (Fe, S and C) to Reveal the Co-oxidation Mechanism of Fe(Ⅱ)-Sb(Ⅲ) in High Antimony Groundwater. Science Technology and Engineering, 2025, 25(17): 7430-7438 DOI:10.12404/j.issn.1671-1815.2406106

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