Argon (Ar) and water

In what way and in what form does argon react with water?

Argon is a noble gas and under normal conditions it does not react with any other element, not even at high temperatures. Only one argon compound, argon fluorohydride (HArF), has been produced, and it is stable only at extremely low temperatures. Consequently, argon does not react with water.

Solubility of argon and argon compounds

Argon has a water solubility of 62 mg/L at 20^oC and pressure = 1 bar. Clathrates contain argon and release the element upon dissolution. Argon does not remain dissolved in water, at least not in higher than normal concentrations.

Why is argon present in water?

Argon occurs in a number of potassium minerals by radioactive decay of the ⁴⁰K isotope. It is applied commercially for different purposes and is extracted from fluid air by 750,000 tons annually. Argon may then be applied as a protective atmosphere, because it is very unreactive. This may be of significance for electrical lighting. In fluorescent lamps it aids the starting mechanism. In light commercials argon glows blue. Much of the argon produced is used in the steel industry. It is applied as an inert shielding gas that keeps air away from heated metal to protect it from oxidation, for example during aluminium or titanium production.
In atomic research argon is applied to protect other elements from unwanted effects. It may also be applied as a protective coating from temperature change, for example as insulation in the interspace of double-glazing. Argon is applied in tyres of luxury cars to protect rubber and prevent noise emissions at high speed. Another popular application are argon laser for eye correction and tumor removal. Argon may be a useful marker, because it does not react with any present product, and during surface treatment it may be a useful carrier that does not react with target material. The argon method or potassium-argon method is applied in geology to date solidification time of volcanic materials. This is achieved by decay of solid ⁴⁰K with a half-life of about 1.25 billion years to gaseous ⁴⁰Ar that cannot escape from solids, merely during a melting process. Argon is mainly obtained by fractional distillation of liquid air, and is also recovered as a by-product of hydrogen production for ammonia synthesis.
Despite all the above-mentioned processes, contamination of water by commercially applied argon is virtually impossible.

What are the environmental effects of argon in water?

Argon does not have any biological use. Diazotrophs, bacteria that absorb nitrogen and convert it to ammonia, may absorb argon, but they cannot apply it. Argon is non-water hazardous and no known environmental effects have occurred.
Argon naturally has three stable isotopes, and more than 20 radioactive isotopes are known.

What are the health effects of argon in water?

Argon is present in the human body in trace amounts. The element is not a dietary requirement. Argon is physiologically ineffective. Health effects from argon present in drinking water are not expected.
The only health effect that may be of importance is argon accumulation in air that is breathed in, leading to oxygen deprivation and asphyxiation. Depending on exposure time, exposure to argon may lead to nausea and sleepiness, followed by breathlessness, unconsciousness, and possible death by asphyxiation.

Which water purification technologies can be applied to remove argon from water?

Removing argon from water is not necessary.

Literature and the other elements and their interaction with water