EFFECTS OF ACIDIFICATION AND NATURAL ORGANIC MATERIALS ON THE MOBILITY OF ARSENIC IN THE ENVIRONMENT

Effects of acidification on adsorption and potential mobility of various As forms have been studied in batch-type distribution experiments. The adsorption of As on alumina decreased in the order As(V) > MMAA = DMAA > As(III) at pH below 6 and As(V) > As(III) > MMAA = DMAA at pH above 6. The adsorption reached a maximum around pH 5 for As(V), pH 7 for As(III) and pH 4 for MMAA and DMAA. The presence of a fulvic acid at concentration levels of 10 mg L-1 or higher generally reduced the As adsorption in the pH range 5 to 7. In light of both laboratory and field observations environmental acidification would increase the leaching of As from soils or sediments to surface and groundwaters under reducing conditions, but could also reduce the mobility due to enhanced adsorption under oxidizing conditions.