Arsenic

7440-38-2

74.92

In well aerated top layer of water As is in the form of
arsenate (80 %), arsenite (10 %), and mono and dimethylated
acids (Blanck et al. 1989).

In the Baltic sea there is a tendency of higher fraction of
methylated forms (Andreae & Frowlich 1984).

In sediment and in soil arsenate forms poorly soluble complexes
with calcium, iron, sulfur etc. 
(Lemmo et al. 1983).

Degradation products of special interest:
arsenic sugar (in algae);
arsenocholine, arsenobetaine (in fish);
trimethylarsinocide; trimethylarsine (Blanck et al. 1989).

Water soluble, inorganic arsenic compounds are absorbed quickly
through lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. 
Organic arsenic
compounds (in fish) are absorbed effectively through
gastrointestinal tract. 70% of arsenic in fish is eliminated in
one year, the rest considerably slower (Vahter 1983).

There is a great variation with bioaccumulation between
different arsenic compounds, plant and animal groups and
species (Fowler 1983).

Effective uptake of arsenocholine by fish by birth (40 %
retention). Most of arsenocholine (89 %) accumulates 
as arsenobetaine (Francesconi et al. 1989).

Bioconcentration factor (other organisms):
100 - 200, invertebrates in fresh water (Fowler 1983).

Is not a direct mutagen but can injure DNA and inhibit DNA
enzymes. 
In animal tests As functions probably as co-carcinogen
(Squibb & Fowler 1983).

LD50, 96hr, 0.269 mg/l, tadpoles of Rana hexadactyla,
Khangarot et al. 1985.

LC50, 48hr, 24.5 mg/l, Aplexa hypnorum (Holcombe et al. 1983).