ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Effects of Dissolved Organic Matter
with Different Molecular Weights on Antimony
Mobilization in Shallow Groundwater
at the World’s Largest Antimony Mine, China
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1
Key Laboratory of Natural Resource Coupling Process and Effects, Beijing, 100055, China
2
Key Laboratory of Mine Geological Hazards Mechanism and Control, Ministry of Natural Resources,
Xi’an,Shaanxi, 710054, P.R. China
3
North China Institute of Science and Technology, Sanhe, Hebei, 065201, P.R. China
Submission date: 2024-04-29
Final revision date: 2024-05-26
Acceptance date: 2024-06-12
Online publication date: 2024-09-20
Corresponding author
Qiong Li
North China Institute of Science and Technology, Sanhe, Hebei, 065201, P.R. China
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ABSTRACT
The molecular weight is a fundamental property of dissolved organic matter (DOM) that affects
the fate of arsenic (As) in groundwater. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the various
molecular weights on the geochemical transformation mechanisms of DOM with respect to antimony
(Sb) migration in groundwater. A total of 20 samples were collected from high- and low-Sb D3x4
waters in the world’s largest antimony mine to evaluate the effects of different molecular weights of
DOM on Sb mobilization using a sequential ultrafiltration technique. Dissolved Sb occurred mainly
in the <1kDa fraction, while total Fe (TFe) colloids and DOM mostly existed in <0.45-μm and
<100-kDa fractions, respectively. A protein-like component with a higher biological index (BIX), lower
humification index (HIX), and specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA254) demonstrated a higher binding
potential to Sb. Owing to the lower values of δ13CDIC a nd t he d ifference b etween δ13CDIC a nd δ13CDOC,
the microbial degradation of DOM had a substantial contribution to Sb mobility in the D3x4 water.
The results obtained from this research contribute to our comprehension of the biogeochemical behavior
of antimony in shallow groundwater.