Cr Stable Isotopes in Snake River Plain Aquifer Groundwater: Evidence for Natural Reduction of Dissolved Cr(VI)
At Idaho National Laboratory, Cr(VI) concentrations in a groundwater plume once exceeded regulatory limits in some monitoring wells but have generally decreased over time. This study used Cr stable isotope measurements to determine if part of this decrease resulted from removal of Cr(VI) via reduction to insoluble Cr(III). Although waters in the study area contain dissolved oxygen, the basalt host rock contains abundant Fe(II) and may contain reducing microenvironments or aerobic microbes that reduce Cr(VI). Insomecontaminated locations, 53Cr/52Cr ratios are close to that of the contaminant source, indicating a lack of Cr(VI) reduction. In other locations, ratios are elevated. Part of this shift may be caused by mixing with natural background Cr(VI), which is present at low concentrations but insomelocations has elevated 53Cr/52Cr.Somecontaminated wells have 53Cr/52Cr ratios greater than the maximum attainable by mixing between the inferred contaminant and the range of natural background observed in several uncontaminated wells, suggesting that Cr(VI) reduction has occurred. Definitive proof of reduction would require additional evidence. Depth profiles of 53Cr/52Cr suggest that reduction occurs immediately below the water table, where basalts are likely least weathered and most reactive, and is weak or nonexistent at greater depth.
- Research Organization:
- Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC07-05ID14517
- OSTI ID:
- 1005343
- Report Number(s):
- INL/JOU-11-21209; TRN: US201105%%247
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 45, Issue 2; ISSN 0013--936X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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