What is Arsenate?
'''Arsenate''' is an [[ion]]. Its chemical formula is AsO<sub>4</sub><sup>3-</sup>. It has [[arsenic]] in its +5 [[oxidation state]]. Arsenates are [[salt]]s of [[arsenic acid]]. They are [[oxidizing agent]]s. Sometimes, not all of the [[deprotonation|protons are taken away]] from the arsenic acid and then hydrogen arsenate salts are formed. Their chemical formulas are HAsO<sub>4</sub><sup>2-</sup> or H<sub>2</sub>AsO<sub>4</sub><sup>-</sup>. Arsenate can replace [[phosphate]] in the cells but it does not work like a phosphate does. The cell dies, and that is why arsenates are [[toxic]]. Some [[bacteria]] can use arsenate instead of phosphate, though. They are called [[arsenic bacteria]]. ==Occurrence== Arsenates occur naturally in a variety of [[mineral]]s. Those minerals may contain [[hydrated]] or [[anhydrous]] arsenates. Unlike phosphates, arsenates are not lost from a mineral during [[weathering]]. Examples of arsenate-containing minerals include [[adamite]], [[alarsite]], [[annabergite]], [[erythrite]] and [[legrandite]]. {{Manganese minerals}} [[Category:Arsenic compounds]] [[Category:Ions]]