Solubility of antimony and other elements in samples taken from shooting ranges

The aim of this study was to determine whether or not Sb and other elements (Ni, Cu, Bi, Tl, and Hg) originating from Pb alloy (2-5 wt. % Sb) bullets become more soluble as a result of weathering and what mechanisms possibly control their solubility. Samples were taken from bank material behind the targets at seven Swiss shooting ranges. The samples were dried, sieved, analyzed, and subjected to leaching experiments. Total average concentrations of Sb ranged from 0.5 to 13.8 g kg(-1). In the leaching experiments, Sb was almost exclusively present in solution as the oxidized species Sb(V) in concentrations of up to 5 mg L(-1). The Ca mineral Ca[Sb(OH)6]2 is suggested to control dissolved Sb(V) concentrations in soils at high concentrations. Oxalate extractions suggested that approximately 50% of Sb [predominantly Sb(V)] in the <0.5-mm fraction was adsorbed to Fe (hydr)oxides and possibly other minerals, such as calcite, that are soluble at pH 2. However, it is possible that only a fraction of the oxalate-extractable Sb(V) is reversibly bound to mineral surfaces. It was concluded that the release of Sb is significant and considerably higher than the other elements under investigation and that the mechanisms controlling Sb mobility should be further investigated.