Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
8
The Baseline
Understanding the
Host Environment
ARSENIC
Arsenic is steel grey metalloid, very brittle and crystalline; it tarnishes in air and when
heated rapidly forms arsenious oxide with the odor of garlic. Many arsenic compounds
are poisonous with the result that, historically, arsenic has been the 'poison of preference'
for would be murderers. Arsenic in solution is particularly toxic to freshwater aquatic
organisms; however, most marine organisms are less susceptible, having adapted to the
significant concentrations that occur in sea water. Arsenic is associated with volcanic
activity and its most commonly occurring mineral - arsenopyrite - is commonly present
in gold-bearing ore bodies. The main uses of arsenic are as a pesticide and fungicide,
particularly for the treatment of timber.
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