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Contents Vol 6(2)

Antimony in the soil–plant system – a review

Martin Tschan A C , Brett H. Robinson B and Rainer Schulin A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems ITES, Universitaetstrasse 16, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland.

B Agricultural and Life Sciences Division, Lincoln University, PO Box 84, Canterbury, New Zealand.

C Corresponding author. Email: martin.tschan@env.ethz.ch

Environmental Chemistry 6(2) 106-115 https://doi.org/10.1071/EN08111
Submitted: 24 December 2008  Accepted: 24 March 2009   Published: 27 April 2009

Environmental context. Soil contamination by antimony (Sb) has become an environmental problem of much concern in recent years, because increasing mining and industrial use has led to widespread soil contamination by this biologically unessential, but potentially carcinogenic element. We reviewed the available literature and found that Sb is generally taken up by terrestrial plants in proportion to the concentration of soluble Sb in soil over a concentration range covering five or more orders of magnitude, a finding that is relevant in particular for the assessment of environmental and health risks arising from Sb-contaminated soils. But very little is known about the mechanisms of Sb uptake by plants.

Abstract. Soil contamination by antimony (Sb) due to human activities has considerably increased in the recent past. We reviewed the available literature on Sb uptake by plants and toxicity risks arising from soil contamination by Sb and found that Sb is generally taken up by terrestrial plants in proportion to the concentration of soluble Sb in soil over a concentration range covering five or more orders of magnitude. However, very little is known about the mechanisms of Sb uptake by plants. Also the deposition of resuspended soil particles on the surfaces of aerial plant surfaces can result in high plant Sb concentration in the vicinity of Sb-contaminated sites. Although soil pollution by Sb may be rarely so severe as to cause toxicity problems to humans or animals consuming plants or food derived from plants grown on Sb-contaminated sites, such risks may arise under worst-case conditions.


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