Presence, mobility and bioavailability of toxic metal(oids) in soil, vegetation and water around a Pb-Sb recycling factory (Barcelona, Spain).

The work was conducted to establish contamination from improper disposal of hazardous wastes containing lead (Pb) and antimony (Sb) into nearby soils. Besides other elements in the affected area, the biological role of Sb, its behaviour in the pedosphere and uptake by plants and the food chain was considered. Wastes contained 139532 ± 9601 mg kg (≈14%) Pb and 3645 ± 194 mg kg (≈0.