Status and behavior of natural and technogenic forms of As, Sb, Se, and Te in ore tailings and contaminated soils: A review

The variable oxidative status that is common for arsenic, antimony, selenium, and tellurium makes them specifically sensitive to the redox conditions in soils. All these elements are siderophiles, being well adsorbed by iron hydroxides. At the same time, metalloids also show individual behavior in soils. The most common valence for arsenic is III and V. Arsenic III is more mobile and more toxic than arsenic V. Unlike arsenic, antimony, selenium, and tellurium appear to be more mobile at a higher oxidation degree. Two main oxidation degrees (III and V) are typical of antimony in soils, whereas four oxidation degrees (-II, 0, IV, and VI) are typical of selenium and tellurium.