clay and arsenopyrite

Arsenic (As) migration and transformation in the supergene environment and eucalyptus planting have essential effects on ecology or even human health, respectively. However, the combined environmental impact of As migration and transformation and eucalyptus planting has not been studied. Here we report a case of soil As contamination caused by eucalyptus planting and address the fate of As in Longmen county, Guangdong Province, China. We found high As content in weathered arsenopyrite bearing granite or granite-derived soil, where a large area of eucalyptus is planted. The release of organic acids from eucalyptus roots promoted the electrochemical reaction of arsenopyrite to produce AsO

Topics: Arsenates; Arsenic; Arsenites; Clay; Eucalyptus; Humans; Minerals; Oxygen; Soil