Novel Insights into Sb(III) Oxidation and Immobilization during Ferrous Iron Oxygenation: The Overlooked Roles of Singlet Oxygen and Fe (oxyhydr)oxides Formation.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced from the oxygenation of reactive Fe(II) species significantly affect the transformation of metalloids such as Sb at anoxic-oxic redox interfaces. However, the main ROS involved in Sb(III) oxidation and Fe (oxyhydr)oxides formation during co-oxidation of Sb(III) and Fe(II) are still poorly understood. Herein, this study comprehensively investigated the Sb(III) oxidation and immobilization process and mechanism during Fe(II) oxygenation. The results indicated that Sb(III) was oxidized to Sb(V) by the ROS produced in the aqueous and solid phases and then immobilized by formed Fe (oxyhydr)oxides via adsorption and coprecipitation. In addition, chemical analysis and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) characterization demonstrated that Sb(V) could be incorporated into the lattice structure of Fe (oxyhydr)oxides via isomorphous substitution, which greatly inhibited the formation of lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH) and decreased its crystallinity. Notably, goethite (α-FeOOH) formation was favored at pH 6 due to the greater amount of incorporated Sb(V). Moreover, singlet oxygen (1O2) was identified as the dominant ROS responsible for Sb(III) oxidation, followed by surface-adsorbed ·OHads, ·OH, and Fe(IV). Our findings highlight the overlooked roles of 1O2 and Fe (oxyhydr)oxide formation in Sb(III) oxidation and immobilization during Fe(II) oxygenation and shed light on understanding the geochemical cycling of Sb coupled with Fe in redox-fluctuating environments.

Unveiling the Influence of Antimony Substitution on the Surface Properties and Adsorption Behavior of Ferrihydrite: From Molecular Mechanisms to Environmental Implications.

Antimony(V) substitution is common in secondary ferrihydrite, especially in mining areas and tailings. However, its impact on the adsorption behavior of ferrihydrite is still unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the influential mechanisms of Sb(V) substitution on the lattice structure and surface properties of Sb-substituted ferrihydrite (SbFh), and its adsorption of coexisting Sb(OH)6-. Antimony(V) is substituted at Fe1 sites and is primarily distributed on the surface. Substitution has opposing effects on the outer- and inner-sphere complexation of Sb(OH)6-. On one hand, substituted-Sb(V) transfers more positive charges to ≡FeOH, reducing the number of H bonds. Subsequently, the charge saturation of ≡FeOH decreases, surface charge increases, and outer-sphere complexation is promoted. On the other hand, the elevated bond valence of Sb-O increases charge saturation of ≡FeOH, reducing the charge capacity that ≡FeOH can accommodate from inner-sphere complexes. Thus, inner-sphere complexation is inhibited. Inner-sphere complexation plays a more important role, and Sb(OH)6- adsorption is inhibited. Additionally, the primary complexation modes of Sb(OH)6- transform from bidentate to monodentate complexation. This research has important implications for understanding the environmental behavior of ferrihydrite, as well as the fate and bioavailability of antimony in mining areas and tailings.

Riverine antibiotic occurrence and potential ecological risks in a low-urbanized and rural basin of the middle Yangtze River: Socioeconomic, land use, and seasonal effects.

This study firstly investigated the effects of season, land use, and socioeconomic on the spatiotemporal changes of riverine antibiotic concentrations in a low urbanized and rural watershed. In the dry and wet seasons, water samples were collected and analyzed for 15 antibiotics. The results indicated that 14 antibiotics, excluding leucomycin, were detected. Monsoon led to significantly lower total antibiotic concentrations in the wet season (22.0ngL-1) than in the dry season (51.2ngL-1). Total antibiotic concentrations were dominated by amoxicillin (below limit of detection (

Discharge dynamics of agricultural diffuse pollution under different rainfall patterns in the middle Yangtze river.

Rainfall plays a crucial role in influencing the loss of agricultural diffuse pollution. The middle Yangtze River region is well-know for its humid climate and numerous agricultural activities. Thus, this study quantitatively analyzed the concentration and distribution of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) load and loss in a major tributary of the middle Yangtze River under different rainfall patterns by using sampling analysis and SWAT model simulation. The total nitrogen (TN) and nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-) concentrations were 1.604-3.574 and 0.830-2.556 mg/L, respectively. The total phosphorous (TP) and Soluble Reactive Phosphorus (SRP) were 2-148 and 2-104 µg/L, respectively. The modeling results demonstrated that higher rainfall intensity led to greater load and loss flux of diffuse pollutant at the outlet. Organic nitrogen (ORGN) is the main nitrogen form transported from the subbasin to the reach, while organic phosphorus (ORGP) and inorganic phosphorus (INORGP) were transported at similar amounts. Under the condition of conventional rainfall, the outlet reaches mainly transported NO3-, and ORGN gradually increased when rainstorm events occurred. The ratio of INORGP to ORGP was relatively stable. During extreme rainfall event, rainfall is the dominant element of agricultural diffuse pollution. A strong positive correlation exists between rainfall intensity and pollution loss during rainstorms. Storm rain events were the main source of TN and TP losses. Few storm rain days generated pollutants that accounted for a large proportion of the total loss, and their impact on TP loss was significantly greater than that of TN. The influence of storm rain on TN is mainly the increase in runoff, while TP is sensitive to the runoff and sediment transport promoted by rainfall. By setting different precipitation scenarios, it was confirmed that under the same rainfall amount, short-term storm rain has the most significant impact on the TN load, whereas TP load may be influenced more by the combined effects of rainfall duration and intensity. Therefore, to reduce the impact of agricultural diffuse pollution, it is important to take targeted measures for the rainstorm days.

Response of soil microbial activities and ammonia oxidation potential to environmental factors in a typical antimony mining area.

Mining, smelting and tailing deposition activities can cause metal(loid) contamination in surrounding soils, threatening ecosystems and human health. Microbial indicators are sensitive to environmental factors and have a crucial role in soil ecological risk assessment. Xikuangshan, the largest active antimony (Sb) mine in the world, was taken as the research area. The soil properties, metal(loid) contents and microbial characteristics were investigated and their internal response relationships were explored by multivariate statistical analysis. The assessment of the single pollution index and Nemerow synthetic pollution index (PN) showed that the soils were mainly polluted by Sb, followed by Cd and As, in which sampling site S1 had a slight metal(loid) pollution and the other sampling sites suffered from severe synthetic metal(loid) pollution. The microbial characteristics were dissimilar among sampling points at different locations from the mining area according to hierarchical cluster analysis. The correlation analysis indicated that fluorescein diacetate hydrolase, acid phosphatase, soil basal respiration and microbial biomass carbon were negatively correlated with PN, indicating their sensitivity to combined metal(loid) contamination; that dehydrogenase was positively correlated with pH; and that urease, potential ammonia oxidation and abundance of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and archaea were correlated with N (nitrogen) contents. However, ß-glucosidase activity had no significant correlations with physicochemical properties and metal(loid) contents. Principal components analysis suggested bioavailable Sb and pH were the dominant factors of soil environment in Xikuangshan Sb mining area. Our results can provide a theoretical basis for ecological risk assessment of contaminated soil.

Interactions of antimony with biomolecules and its effects on human health.

Antimony (Sb) pollution has increased health risks to humans as a result of extensive application in diverse fields. Exposure to different levels of Sb and its compounds will directly or indirectly affect the normal function of the human body, whereas limited human health data and simulation studies delay the understanding of this element. In this review, we summarize current research on the effects of Sb on human health from different perspectives. First, the exposure pathways, concentration and excretion of Sb in humans are briefly introduced, and several studies have revealed that human exposure to high levels of Sb will cause higher concentrations in body tissues. Second, interactions between Sb and biomolecules or other nonbiomolecules affected biochemical processes such as gene expression and hormone secretion, which are vital for causing and understanding health effects and mechanisms. Finally, we discuss the different health effects of Sb at the biological level from small molecules to individual. In conclusion, exposure to high levels of Sb compounds will increase the risk of disease by affecting different cell signaling pathways. In addition, the appropriate form and dose of Sb contribute to inhibit the development of specific diseases. Key challenges and gaps in toxicity or benefit effects and mechanisms that still hinder risk assessment of human health are also identified in this review. Systematic studies on the relationships between the biochemical process of Sb and human health are needed.

Higher Fine Particle Fraction in Sediment Increased Phosphorus Flux to Estuary in Restored Yellow River Basin.

River delta-front estuaries (DEs) are vital interfaces for fluxes between terrestrial and marine environments. However, deep uncertainty exists in estimating the sedimentary pollutant flux from terrestrial environments in DEs due, in part, to a lack of direct measurements in these dynamic and complicated regions and uncertainty in the calculation method. Due to its high sediment content, the Yellow River (YR) has a strong ability to adsorb phosphorus; therefore, it reliably reflects estuarine sedimentary processes. Here, through the comprehensive analysis of field samples, monitoring data and remote sensing images, we conclude that riverine fine particles control the deltaic estuary pollution status and that particle size is the key factor. Based on the stable relationships between phosphorus and heavy metals, with r2 values of 0.990, 0.992, and 0.639 for As, Cd, and Cr, respectively, we estimated that the P flux reached 22.68 g/m2 yr in 2017. Analysis of the YR high-silt sediment load, which has a strong phosphorus adsorption ability and constitutes a substantial fraction of global fluvial sediment transport, revealed a negative correlation between the riverine sediment load and the estuarine phosphorus flux.

A review of removal technology for antimony in aqueous solution.

Antimony (Sb) and its compounds, toxic metalloid, have been classified as high-priority pollutants. Increasing Sb released into the water environment by natural processes and anthropogenic activities, which exposure threatens to human health and ecosystems. Therefore, it is of unquestionable importance to remove Sb from polluted water. Keeping in view the extreme importance of this issue, we summarize the source, chemistry, speciation, distribution, toxicity, and polluted situation of Sb about aqueous solution. Then, we provide the recent and common technology to remove Sb, which are based on adsorption, coagulation/flocculation, electrochemical technology, membrane technology, ion exchange, etc. In this review, we focus in detail on the adsorption method, researchers at present have been investigating to discover more advanced, cost-effective, eco-friendly, reusable adsorbents. However, to date the Sb-containing wastewater treatment technologies are not sufficiently developed and most of research have been tested only in controlled lab conditions. Few reports are available that include field studies and applications. We critically analyzed the salient features and removal mechanisms, evaluating benefits and limitations of these technologies, hoping to provide more references for further research. Finally, we considered the Fe- or Mn-based technologies was the most promising technique to remove Sb for field application.

Insight into removal of dissolved organic matter in post pharmaceutical wastewater by coagulation-UV/H2O2.

The removal of four dissolved organic matter (DOM) fractions, non-acid hydrophobics, hydrophobic acids, hydrophilics and transphilics, was achieved by coagulation-UV/H2O2 oxidation in post-pharmaceutical wastewater (PhWW). Coagulation with Polyferric chloride (PFC), Polymeric ferric sulfate (PFS) and Polymeric aluminum ferric chloride (PAFC) was studied separately to evaluate the effects of the initial pH and coagulant dosage. The coagulation-UV/H2O2 oxidation method resulted in much higher reduction rates for dissolved organic carbon (DOC) (by 75%) and UV254 (by 92%) than coagulation or UV/H2O2 oxidation alone. The proportion of non-acid hydrophobics, hydrophobic acids, transphilics and hydrophilics removed by coagulation was 54%, 49%, 27% and 12 %, while the combined treatment removed 92%, 87%, 70% and 39%, respectively. Parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) of fluorescence measurements revealed that the humic-like fluorescent component C4 showed the highest removal (by 44%) during the coagulation stage. After coagulation-UV/H2O2 treatment, the humic-like fluorescent component C3 had the highest removal (by 72%), whereas xenobiotic organic fluorescent components C1 and C4 remained recalcitrant to decomposition. Significant correlations (R2 > 0.8) between C1 and the hydrophobic acids and non-acid hydrophobics suggested the possibility of using fluorescence spectroscopy as an effective tool to assess variations in DOM fraction treatment efficacy in coagulation-UV/H2O2 systems. After the combined treatment, toxic inhibition of cellular activity by post PhWW decreased from 88% to 47% and biodegradability increased from 0.1 to 0.52.

Antimony speciation in the environment: Recent advances in understanding the biogeochemical processes and ecological effects.

Antimony (Sb) is a toxic metalloid, and its pollution has become a global environmental problem as a result of its extensive use and corresponding Sb-mining activities. The toxicity and mobility of Sb strongly depend on its chemical speciation. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the biogeochemical processes (including emission, distribution, speciation, redox, metabolism and toxicity) that trigger the mobilization and transformation of Sb from pollution sources to the surrounding environment. Natural phenomena such as weathering, biological activity and volcanic activity, together with anthropogenic inputs, are responsible for the emission of Sb into the environment. Sb emitted in the environment can adsorb and undergo redox reactions on organic or inorganic environmental media, thus changing its existing form and exerting toxic effects on the ecosystem. This review is based on a careful and systematic collection of the latest papers during 2010-2017 and our research results, and it illustrates the fate and ecological effects of Sb in the environment.

Organic ligand-induced dissolution kinetics of antimony trioxide.

The influence of low-molecular-weight dissolved organic matter (LMWDOM) on the dissolution rate of Sb2O3 was investigated. Some representative LMWDOMs with carboxyl, hydroxyl, hydrosulfuryl and amidogen groups occurring naturally in the solution were chosen, namely oxalic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, EDTA, salicylic acid, phthalandione, glycine, thiolactic acid, xylitol, glucose and catechol. These LMWDOMs were dissolved in inert buffers at pH=3.7, 6.6 and 8.6 and added to powdered Sb2O3 in a stirred, thermostatted reactor (25°C). The addition of EDTA, tartaric acid, thiolactic acid, citric acid and oxalic acid solutions at pH3.7 and catechol at pH8.6 increased the rate of release of antimony. In the 10mmol/L thiolactic acid solution, up to 97% by mass of the antimony was released after 120min reaction. There was no effect on the dissolution of Sb2O3 for the other ligands. A weak correlation between dissolution rate with the dissociation constant of ligands and the stability of the dissolved complex was also found. All the results showed that the extent of the promoting effect of ligands on the dissolution of Sb2O3 was not determined by the stability of the dissolved complex, but by the dissociation constant of ligands and detachment rate of surface chelates from the mineral surface. This study can not only help in further understanding the effect of individual low-molecular-weight organic ligands, but also provides a reference to deduce the effect of natural organic matters with oxygen-bearing functional groups on the dissolution of antimony oxide minerals.

Mechanisms of Sb(III) Photooxidation by the Excitation of Organic Fe(III) Complexes.

Organic Fe(III) complexes are widely distributed in the aqueous environment, which can efficiently generate free radicals under light illumination, playing a significant role in heavy metal speciation. However, the potential importance of the photooxidation of Sb(III) by organic Fe(III) complexes remains unclear. Therefore, the photooxidation mechanisms of Sb(III) were comprehensively investigated in Fe(III)-oxalate, Fe(III)-citrate and Fe(III)-fulvic acid (FA) solutions by kinetic measurements and modeling. Rapid photooxidation of Sb(III) was observed in an Fe(III)-oxalate solution over the pH range of 3 to 7. The addition of tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) as an ·OH scavenger quenched the Sb(III) oxidation, suggesting that ·OH is an important oxidant for Sb(III). However, the incomplete quenching of Sb(III) oxidation indicated the existence of other oxidants, presumably an Fe(IV) species in irradiated Fe(III)-oxalate solution. In acidic solutions, ·OH may be formed by the reaction of Fe(II)(C2O4) with H2O2, but a hypothetical Fe(IV) species may be generated by the reaction of Fe(II)(C2O4)2(2-) with H2O2 at higher pH. Kinetic modeling provides a quantitative explanation of the results. Evidence for the existence of ·OH and hypothetical Fe(IV) was also observed in an irradiated Fe(III)-citrate and Fe(III)-FA system. This study demonstrated an important pathway of Sb(III) oxidation in surface waters.

pH-dependent release characteristics of antimony and arsenic from typical antimony-bearing ores.

The pH-dependent leaching of antimony (Sb) and arsenic (As) from three typical Sb-bearing ores (Banxi, Muli and Tongkeng Antimony Mine) in China was assessed using a pH-static leaching experiment. The pH changes of the leached solutions and pH-dependent leaching of Sb and As occurred in different ways. For the Banxi and Muli Sb ores, alkaline conditions were more favorable for the release of Sb compared to neutral and acidic conditions, but the reverse was true for the pH-dependent release of As. For the Tongkeng Sb ore, unlike the previous two Sb-bearing ores, acidic conditions were more favorable for Sb release than neutral and alkaline conditions. The ores with lower Sb and As contents released higher percentages of their Sb and As after 16day leaching, suggesting that they are the largest potential sources of pollution. This work may provide key information on the geochemistry of Sb and As in the weathering zone.

Mechanisms of Sb(III) oxidation by pyrite-induced hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxide.

Antimony (Sb) is an element of growing interest, and its toxicity and mobility are strongly influenced by redox processes. Sb(III) oxidation mechanisms in pyrite suspensions were comprehensively investigated by kinetic measurements in oxic and anoxic conditions and simulated sunlight. Sb(III) was oxidized to Sb(V) in both solution and on pyrite surfaces in oxic conditions; the oxidation efficiency of Sb(III) was gradually enhanced with the increase of pH. The pyrite-induced hydroxyl radical (·OH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) are the oxidants for Sb(III) oxidation. ·OH is the oxidant for Sb(III) oxidation in acidic solutions, and H2O2 becomes the main oxidant in neutral and alkaline solutions. ·OH and H2O2 can be generated by the reaction of previously existing FeIII(pyrite) and H2O on pyrite in anoxic conditions. The oxygen molecule is the crucial factor in continuously producing ·OH and H2O2 for Sb(III) oxidation. The efficiency of Sb(III) oxidation was enhanced in surface-oxidized pyrite (SOP) suspension, more ·OH formed through Fenton reaction in acidic solutions, but Fe(IV) and H2O2 were formed in neutral and alkaline solutions. Under the illumination of simulated sunlight, more ·OH and H2O2 were produced in the pyrite suspension, and the oxidation efficiency of Sb(III) was remarkably enhanced. In conclusion, Sb(III) can be oxidized to Sb(V) in the presence of pyrite, which will greatly influence the fate of Sb(III) in the environment.

Spatial-temporal characteristics of phosphorus in non-point source pollution with grid-based export coefficient model and geographical information system.

In this paper, the spatial changes and trends in non-point source (NPS) total phosphorus (TP) pollution were analyzed by land and non-land uses in the Songliao River Basin from 1986 to 2000 (14 years). A grid-based export coefficient model was used in the process of analysis based on to a geographic information system. The Songliao Basin is divided in four regions: Liaoning province, Jilin province (JL), Heilongjiang province and the eastern part of the Inner Mongolia (IM) Autonomous Region. Results indicated that the NPS phosphorus load caused by land use and non-land use increased steadily from 3.11×10(4) tons in 1986 to 3.49×10(4) tons in 2000. The southeastern region of the Songliao Plain was the most important NPS pollution contributor of all the districts. Although the TP load caused by land use decreased during the studied period in the Songliao River Basin, the contribution of land use to the TP load was dominant compared to non-land uses. The NPS pollution caused by non-land use steadily increased over the studied period. The IM Autonomous Region and JL province had the largest mean annual rate of change among all districts (more than 30%). In this area, livestock and poultry breeding had become one of the most important NPS pollution sources. These areas will need close attention in the future.

Concentration and speciation of antimony and arsenic in soil profiles around the world's largest antimony metallurgical area in China.

Mining and smelting activities contribute large amounts of heavy metal pollution to the environment. In this study, four 75- or 80-cm-deep soil profiles in the vicinity of the Xikuangshan Sb smelter were sampled and studied by combination of bulk chemical analysis, sequential extraction procedure, and speciation analysis of Sb and As, which are in order to assess the vertical mobility of metal/metalloid contaminants (Sb, As, Cd, and Hg). The heavy contamination in the soil profiles is mostly located in the uppermost soil layers enriched in organic matter (<40 cm) and exhibited downward migration in the soil profiles. Sb and As, being substantially bound in the exchangeable fractions by sequential extraction studies, showed significant mobility in the profiles. Sb(III), Sb(V), As(III), and As(V) were found in all of the soil samples, and certain methylated states of Sb (TMSb) and As (MMA, DMA) were also present in the lower layer soil samples.

Antimony leaching release from brake pads: Effect of pH, temperature and organic acids.

Metals from automotive brake pads pollute water, soils and the ambient air. The environmental effect on water of antimony (Sb) contained in brake pads has been largely untested. The content of Sb in one abandoned brake pad reached up to 1.62×10(4) mg/kg. Effects of initial pH, temperature and four organic acids (acetic acid, oxalic acid, citric acid and humic acid) on Sb release from brake pads were studied using batch reactors. Approximately 30% (97 mg/L) of the total Sb contained in the brake pads was released in alkaline aqueous solution and at higher temperature after 30 days of leaching. The organic acids tested restrained Sb release, especially acetic acid and oxalic acid. The pH-dependent concentration change of Sb in aqueous solution was best fitted by a logarithmic function. In addition, Sb contained in topsoil from land where brake pads were discarded (average 9×10(3) mg/kg) was 3000 times that in uncontaminated soils (2.7±1 mg/kg) in the same areas. Because potentially high amounts of Sb may be released from brake pads, it is important that producers and environmental authorities take precautions.

Kinetics and mechanism of photopromoted oxidative dissolution of antimony trioxide.

Light (sunlight, ultraviolet, simulated sunlight) irradiation was used to initiate the dissolution of antimony trioxide (Sb2O3). Dissolution rate of Sb2O3 was accelerated and dissolved trivalent antimony (Sb(III)) was oxidized in the irradiation of light. The photopromoted oxidative dissolution mechanism of Sb2O3 was studied through experiments investigating the effects of pH, free radicals scavengers, dissolved oxygen removal and Sb2O3 dosage on the release rate of antimony from Sb2O3 under simulated sunlight irradiation. The key oxidative components were hydroxyl free radicals, photogenerated holes and superoxide free radicals; their contribution ratios were roughly estimated. In addition, a conceptual model of the photocatalytic oxidation dissolution of Sb2O3 was proposed. The overall pH-dependent dissolution rate of Sb2O3 and the oxidation of Sb(III) under light irradiation were expressed by r = 0.08 ·[OH(-)](0.63) and rox = 0.10 ·[OH(-)](0.79). The present study on the mechanism of the photo-oxidation dissolution of Sb2O3 could help clarify the geochemical cycle and fate of Sb in the environment.

A comprehensive global inventory of atmospheric Antimony emissions from anthropogenic activities, 1995-2010.

Antimony (Sb) and its compounds are considered as global pollutants due to their health risks and long-range transport characteristics. A comprehensive global inventory of atmospheric antimony emissions from anthropogenic activities during the period of 1995-2010 has been developed with specific estimation methods based on the relevant data available for different continents and countries. Our results indicate that the global antimony emissions have increased to a peak at about 2232 t (t) in 2005 and then declined gradually. Global antimony emissions in 2010 are estimated at about 1904 t (uncertainty of a 95% confidence interval (CI): -30% ∼ 67%), with fuel combustion as the major source category. Asia and Europe account for about 57% and 24%, respectively, of the global total emissions, and China, the United States, and Japan rank as the top three emitting countries. Furthermore, global antimony emissions are distributed into gridded cells with a resolution of 1° × 1°. Regions with high Sb emissions are generally concentrated in the Southeastern Asia and Western Europe, while South Africa, economically developed regions in the eastern U.S., and Mexico are also responsible for the high antimony emission intensity.

Antimony smelting process generating solid wastes and dust: characterization and leaching behaviors.

A large amount of solid waste has been produced by the antimony smelting process in the "World Capital of Antimony", Xikuangshan area in China. This study comprehensively investigated the physical and chemical characteristics of the various solid wastes, as well as the leaching behavior of the solid wastes, which included water-quenched slag, arsenic-alkali residue, desulfurized slag and blast furnace dust. These four types of waste were enriched in a variety of heavy metals and metalloids and more specifically with As and Sb levels up to 8.6 × 104 and 3.16×105 mg/kg, respectively, in arsenic-alkali residue. For desulfurized slag and water-quenched slag, the leaching concentration of Sb significantly exceeded the acceptable limits during the leaching tests using the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure and the synthetic precipitation leaching procedure. In addition, As leaching in arsenic-alkali residue was extraordinarily hazardous, being three orders of magnitude higher than the regulatory level of As. According to the results of the extraction tests, all the tested wastes were classified as hazardous waste.