Bioaccumulation of antimony and arsenic in a highly contaminated stream adjacent to the Hillgrove Mine, NSW, Australia

Bioaccumulation and uptake of antimony (Sb) were investigated in a highly contaminated stream, Bakers Creek, running adjacent to mining and processing of Sb - As ores at Hillgrove Mine, NSW, Australia. Comparisons with arsenic (As) were included owing to its co-occurrence at high concentrations. Mean metalloid creek rhizome sediment concentrations were 777 +/- 115 mu g g(-1) Sb and 60 +/- 6 mu g g(-1) As, with water concentrations at 381 +/- 23 mu g L-1 Sb and 46 +/- 2 mu g L-1 As. Antimony and As were significantly elevated in aquatic autotrophs (96 - 212 mu g g(-1) Sb and 32 - 245 mu g g(-1) As) but Sb had a lower uptake efficiency. Both metalloids were elevated in all macroinvertebrates sampled (94 - 316 mu g g(-1) Sb and 1.8 - 62 mu g g(-1) As) except Sb in gastropods. Metalloids were detected in upper trophic levels although biomagnification was not evident. Metalloid transfer to riparian vegetation leaves from roots and rhizome soil was low but rhizome soil to leaf As concentration ratios were up to 2 - 3 times greater than Sb concentration ratios. Direct exposure to the rhizosphere sediments and soils, water ingestion and consumption of aquatic autotrophs appear to be the major routes of Sb and As uptake for the fauna of Bakers Creek.