Sources, Sinks, and Isotopic Fractionation of Antimony in a Karst Catchment: Constraints on Multi-media Migration and Biogeochemical Cycling

This study aims to explore sources, sinks, and isotopic fractionation of antimony in a karst catchment.We monitored the input and output fluxes of antimony within the catchment, and conducted analysis and testing on the major trace elements and antimony isotope composition of the forest and farmland profiles. We also tested the antimony content and its isotope composition in different water bodies within the forest area.This study clarified the source-sink relationship of Sb in the karst catchment by monitoring the input flux and output flux of Sb. Combined with Sb isotope tracing technology and other geochemical methods, the Sb sources in rainfall and atmospheric particles were identified, the migration and controlling factors of Sb in forest and farmland soil profiles were analyzed in depth, and the redistribution effects of the canopy and litter layers within the forest ecosystem on Sb in rainfall were discussed.Research findings provide important scientific insights into the geochemical cycling of Sb at the catchment scale in karst regions, meanwhile demonstrating the significant advantages of Sb stable isotopes in tracing material sources and processes within complex environments.