Antimony Dispersion at Abandoned Mines in Sardinia, Italy

Aqueous Sb may result from both natural and human processes. The World Health Organization has established a guideline value 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 at Su Suergiu (Sardinia, Italy). The Su Suergiu Sb ores were exploited between 1880 and 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, water from which is used for irrigation and domestic purposes. Dust materials deposited on leaves collected in the mine area contain 70 μg/kg Sb, as compared to 7 μg/kg Sb observed on leaves collected on upstream slopes.