Dissolution of mimetite Pb5(AsO4)3Cl in malic acid solutions

Abstract

Pentavalent arsenic and lead are presently considered to be one of the major soil pollutants. Theseand widespread elements t occur in very low concentrations. Their natural concentrations in soils and waters are the results of leaching from rocks containing Pb and As(V) minerals. However, concentration of these elements in environment can be drastically raised by anthropogenic processes, such as coal combustion, mining, metallurgy, pesticides application or glass manufacturing. Leaching of Pb and As(V) from soils and residues containing lead arsenates may cause contamination of the pedosphere.