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Sb(V) adsorption and desorption onto ferrihydrite: influence of pH and competing organic and inorganic anions

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Abstract

In this study, we investigated the Sb(V) adsorption on ferrihydrite (Fh) at different pH values, in the presence and absence of common competing anions in soil such as phosphate (P(V)) and arsenate (As(V)). Batch adsorption experiments, carried out at pH 4.5, 6.0, and 7.0, showed a greater affinity of Fh towards P(V) and As(V) with respect to Sb(V), especially at higher pH values, while the opposite was true at acidic pH. The capacity of Fh to accumulate greater amounts of phosphate and arsenate in the 6.0–7.0 pH range was mainly linked to the different acid properties of P(V), As(V), and Sb(V) oxyanions. The Sb(V) adsorption on Fh was highly pH-dependent and followed the following order: pH 4.5 (0.957 mmol·g−1 Fh) > pH 6.0 (0.701 mmol·g−1 Fh) > pH 7.0 (0.583 mmol·g−1 Fh). Desorption of antimonate from Sb(V)-saturated Fh, treated with citric and malic acid solutions, was ~equal to 55, 68, and 76% of that sorbed at pH 4.5, 6.0, and 7.0, respectively, while phosphate, arsenate, and sulfate were able to release significantly lower Sb(V) amounts. The FT-IR spectra revealed substantial absorbance shifts related to the surface hydroxyl groups of Fh, which were attributed to the formation of Fe-O-Sb(V) bonds and supported the formation of inner-sphere bonding between Sb(V) and Fh.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Agraria, Sezione di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali e Alimentari, University of Sassari, Viale Italia 39, 07100, Sassari, Italy

    Giovanni Garau, Gian Paolo Lauro, Stefania Diquattro & Matteo Garau

  2. Dipartimento di Chimica e Farmacia, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy

    Paola Castaldi

Authors
  1. Giovanni Garau
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  2. Gian Paolo Lauro
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  3. Stefania Diquattro
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  4. Matteo Garau
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  5. Paola Castaldi
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Correspondence to Paola Castaldi.

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Responsible editor: Tito Roberto Cadaval Jr

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Research highlights

Sb(V), P(V), and As(V) were sorbed by ferrihydrite (Fh) at pH 4.5, 6.0, and 7.0.

Sb(V) sorption by Fh was more pH-dependent compared to As(V) and P(V).

More stable Sb(V)-Fh complexes were formed at lower pH values.

Common soil organic anions released more Sb(V) from Fh with respect to inorganic ones.

Significant amounts of Sb(V) were retained by Fh through strong chemical interactions.

Electronic supplementary material

Fig. S1.

XRD pattern of the ferrihydrite used in this study (PPTX 117 kb)

Fig. S2.

Transmission electron micrographs (TEM) of the ferrihydrite used in this study. Aggregated particles (a-c) and detail of single particles aggregated (d) (PPTX 521 kb)

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Garau, G., Lauro, G.P., Diquattro, S. et al. Sb(V) adsorption and desorption onto ferrihydrite: influence of pH and competing organic and inorganic anions. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26, 27268–27280 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-05919-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-05919-z

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