Inorganic arsenic distribution

Speciation describes the distribution of analyte among possible species. For an acid or base, speciation describes how much of each protonated form is present. When you ingest inorganic arsenic (AsO(OH)3 and As(OH)3) from drinking water, it is methylated to species such as (CH3)AsO(OH)2, (CH3)As(OH)2, (CH3)2AsO(OH), (CH3)2As(OH). (CH3)3AsO. and (CH3)3As. Speciation describes the forms and quantities that are present. 

Yan, X.-P., Kerrich, R. and Hendry, M.J. (2000) Distribution of arsenic(III), arsenic(V) and total inorganic arsenic in porewaters from a thick till and clay-rich aquitard sequence, Saskatchewan, Canada. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 64(15), 2637-48. 

The discussion and studies cited previously generally reflect overall tissue distribution of total arsenic after acute exposure in the case of laboratory animals or unknown exposures in the case of humans. Advances in analytical technology in the last decade have facilitated the identification of tissue-specific patterns of metabolite distribution and accumulation in laboratory animals. Kenyon, Del Razo and Hughes (2005a) found that inorganic arsenic was the predominant form of arsenic in the liver and kidney up to two hours post administration of 10 or 100 p mol As kg-1 as inorganic As(V) to female mice, whereas... 

Kenyon, E.M., Del Razo, L.M. and Hughes, M.F. (2005a) Tissue distribution and urinary excretion of inorganic arsenic and its methylated metabolites in mice following acute oral administration of arsenate. Toxicological Sciences, 85(1), 468-75. 

Bednar, A.J., J.R. Garbarino, J.F. Ranville, and T.R. Wildeman. 2002. Preserving the distribution of inorganic arsenic species in groundwater and acid mine drainage samples. Environ. Sci. Technol. 36 2213-2218. 

Arsenic is widely distributed in nature and man-made distribution occurs through mining, smelting, pesticides, and the use of fossil fuels. The vast majority of the forms identified in the environment are simple inorganic (oxide, oxo-anions) or organic (especially methylated forms)... 

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