Antimony (Sb) is a toxic element that primarily occurs in sulfur-rich ore bodies, and its uptake into the human body over extended periods can lead to cancer, disturbances in the optical nerves (e.g., uveitis, retinal hemorrhages), and heart disease. In recent years, Sb isotope ratios have been used as a geochemical environmental tracer due to Sb's high redox sensitivity, to trace contamination pathways from spoil heaps into soils and waters, and to better control human health impacts. Additionally, it has recently been shown that Sb isotopes in Sb-rich minerals can serve as an exploration tool, providing clues about the formation of undiscovered Au, Ag, and Cu-Sb deposits underground.
In the proposed project, Sb isotope ratios will be used to(I) determine the environmental impact of Sb (and other toxic elements in sulfides such as As) on soils, waters, and drinking water near mines, thereby assessing the direct impact on humans. (II) Furthermore, Ag- and Au-rich mines such as the Rammelsberg, St. Lorenz, or Agezucht mines in the Harz region will be used as case studies to apply Sb isotopy as an exploration tool in Sb minerals to potentially locate additional undiscovered ore bodies underground.