Antimony species in environmental samples

Antimony was extracted from environmental biota samples from Yellowknife, NWT and Meager Creek, BC, Canada. Extraction efficiencies ranged from 0.7 to 37% for all samples except for a cattail sample, from which 95% of antimony was extracted. Speciation analysis was carried out by using hydride generation-gas chromatography-atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-GC-AAS). The major antimony species in all samples, including biota extracts and water, was Sb (V). Sb (III) and methylated antimony species were detected in some samples as well. The presence of methylated antimony species in moss from Yellowknife and a water sample from Yellowknife was confirmed by using HG-GC-AAS at a second absorption wavelength, increasing the likelihood that the peaks obtained are due to the presence of antimony compounds. A headspace HG-GC-mass spectrometric (MS) method was developed for the speciation of antimony compounds and this was used to successfully confirm methylantimony species in the headspace following HG of extracts of moss and snail samples from Yellowknife.