The presence of arsenate compounds in soils and mineral dump leachates is common. One potential method for the removal of the arsenates from soils is through thermal treatment. High-resolution thermogravimetric analysis has been used to follow this thermal decomposition of selected vivianite arsenates. This decomposition occurs as a series of steps. The first two steps involve dehydration with 6 mol of water lost in the first step and two in the second. The third major weight loss step occurs in the 750-800degreesC temperature range with de-arsenation. The application of infrared emission spectroscopy confirms the loss of water by around 250 degreesC and the loss of arsenic as arsenic pentoxide is observed by the loss of AsO stretching bands at around 826 cm(-1). Thermal activation of arsenic contaminated soils may provide a method of decontamination. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.