Antimony release and volatilization from rice paddy soils: Field and microcosm study

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Soil Science
• Geochemistry

Background:

• Antimony (Sb) behavior in submerged soils and agricultural impacts are poorly understood.
• Rice paddy agriculture involves practices like flooding and manuring that may influence Sb dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate antimony (Sb) release and volatilization in rice paddy soils under field and laboratory conditions.
• To assess the impact of flooding and manuring on Sb dynamics in paddy soils.

Main Methods:

• Field monitoring of porewater and surface water Sb concentrations.
• Laboratory microcosm experiments simulating flooding and manuring.
• Quantitative detection of volatile Sb using validated methods.

Main Results:

• High Sb concentrations found in porewater and surface water, posing risks to agriculture and aquaculture.
• Volatile Sb was detected in rice paddy fields and microcosms.
• Flooding caused temporary Sb release, influenced by sulfate reduction.
• Manuring increased Sb volatilization but not porewater concentrations.

Conclusions:

• Sb release in rice paddies is influenced by soil biogeochemistry and agricultural practices.
• Volatilization of Sb is a significant but understudied process in these environments.
• Agricultural practices like flooding and manuring have distinct impacts on Sb mobility and fate.