Arsenic pollution in groundwater is due to:
2022
Arsenic pollution in groundwater is due to:
Answer: C. Acids of arsenic — ConceptIn groundwater, dissolved inorganic arsenic occurs mainly as arsenite, As(III), and arsenate, As(V). These aqueous species are protonated or…
- A.
Oxides of arsenic
- B.
Sulphates of arsenic
- C.
Acids of arsenic
- D.
Nitrates of arsenic
Attempted by 2 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept
In groundwater, dissolved inorganic arsenic occurs mainly as arsenite, As(III), and arsenate, As(V). These aqueous species are protonated or deprotonated forms of arsenous acid H3AsO3, and arsenic acid H3AsO4, governed by pH and redox conditions.
Application
The offered category “Acids of arsenic” includes the dissolved arsenous-acid and arsenic-acid species and their ionized forms found in contaminated groundwater.
Contrast
Option value | Chemical meaning | Groundwater relevance |
|---|---|---|
Oxides of arsenic | As2O3 and As2O5 source compounds | Dissolution and hydrolysis produce aqueous arsenic species. |
Sulphates of arsenic | Salts of sulfur-centred SO42− | The label tracks a sulfur oxyanion, not arsenic oxidation-state speciation. |
Acids of arsenic | Arsenous acid H3AsO3 and arsenic acid H3AsO4 | Their protonated and ionized forms represent aqueous As(III) and As(V). |
Nitrates of arsenic | Salts of nitrogen-centred NO3− | The label tracks a nitrogen oxyanion, not arsenic oxidation-state speciation. |
Result
Therefore, the best-supported offered value is Acids of arsenic.