Biogeochemistry of antimony in soil-plant system: Ecotoxicology and human health

摘要

Environmental contamination by antimony (Sb), a non-essential and non-beneficial metalloid, is a great threat to living organisms at a global scale. Owing to its various uses in numerous industrial processes, Sb is released into different environmental compartments every year. Environmental Sb contamination can result in food chain bioaccumulation, especially due to its uptake and accumulation in edible plant parts. Consumption of Sb-rich food (cereals, vegetables, pulses etc.) is the key source of Sb exposure to human. Since Sb does not possess any identified biological role and has genotoxic and carcinogenic potential, it is critical to monitor its biogeochemical behavior in the soil-plant system and its influence in term of possible food chain bioaccumulation up to human exposure. However, compared to other heavy metals, limited data is available regarding biogeochemical behavior of Sb in the soil-plant system and associated health risks.