Manganese (Mn) oxides, such as birnessite
(δ-MnO2), are ubiquitous mineral phases in soils
and sediments that can
interact strongly with antimony (Sb). The reaction between birnessite
and aqueous Mn(II) can induce the formation of secondary Mn oxides.
Here, we studied to what extent different loadings of antimonate (herein
termed Sb(V)) sorbed to birnessite determine the products formed during
Mn(II)-induced transformation (at pH 7.5) and corresponding changes
in Sb behavior. In the presence of 10 mM Mn(II)aq, low
Sb(V)aq (10 μmol L–1) triggered
the transformation of birnessite to a feitknechtite (β-Mn(III)OOH)
intermediary phase within 1 day, which further transformed into manganite
(γ-Mn(III)OOH) over 30 days. Medium and high concentrations
of Sb(V)aq (200 and 600 μmol L–1, respectively) led to the formation of manganite, hausmannite (Mn(II)Mn(III)2O4), and groutite (αMn(III)OOH). The reaction
of Mn(II) with birnessite enhanced Sb(V)aq removal compared
to Mn(II)-free treatments. Antimony K-edge extended X-ray absorption
fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy revealed that heterovalent substitution
of Sb(V) for Mn(III) occurred within the secondary Mn oxides, which
formed via the Mn(II)-induced transformation of Sb(V)-sorbed birnessite.
Overall, Sb(V) strongly influenced the products of the Mn(II)-induced
transformation of birnessite, which in turn attenuated Sb mobility
via incorporation of Sb(V) within the secondary Mn oxide phases.