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Title: Sulfate reduction in freshwater sediments receiving acid mine drainage

Abstract

One arm of Lake Anna, Va., receives acid mine drainage (AMD) from Contrary Creek (SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ concentration = 2 to 20 mM, pH = 2.5 to 3.5). Acid-volatile sulfide concentrations, SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ reduction rates, and interstitial SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ concentrations were measured at various depths in the sediment at four stations in four seasons to assess the effects of the AMD-added SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ on bacterial SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ reduction. Acid-volatile sulfide concentrations were always an order of magnitude higher at the stations receiving AMD than at a control station in another arm of the lake that received no AMD. Summer SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ reduction rates were also an order of magnitude higher at stations that received AMD than at the control station (226 versus 13.5 mmol m/sup -2/ day/sup -1/), but winter values were inconclusive, probably due to low sediment temperature (6/sup 0/C). Profiles of interstitial SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ concentrations at the AMD stations showed a rapid decrease with depth (from 1270 to 6 ..mu..M in the top 6 cm) due to rapid SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ reduction. Bottom-water SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ concentrations in the AMD-receiving arm were highestmore » in winter and lowest in summer. These data support the conclusion that there is a significant enhancement of SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ reduction in sediments receiving high SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ inputs from AMD.« less

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Univ. of Virginia, Charlottesville
OSTI Identifier:
5617918
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 49:1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT; ACID MINE DRAINAGE; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS; SULFATES; REDUCTION; BACTERIA; ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION; FRESH WATER; INTERSTITIAL WATER; LAKES; PH VALUE; SEASONAL VARIATIONS; SEDIMENTS; VIRGINIA; WATER POLLUTION; CHEMICAL REACTIONS; FEDERAL REGION III; GROUND WATER; HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS; MICROORGANISMS; NORTH AMERICA; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; POLLUTION; SULFUR COMPOUNDS; SURFACE WATERS; USA; VARIATIONS; WATER; 520200* - Environment, Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989); 010900 - Coal, Lignite, & Peat- Environmental Aspects

Citation Formats

Herlihy, A T, and Mills, A L. Sulfate reduction in freshwater sediments receiving acid mine drainage. United States: N. p., 1985. Web.
Herlihy, A T, & Mills, A L. Sulfate reduction in freshwater sediments receiving acid mine drainage. United States.
Herlihy, A T, and Mills, A L. 1985. "Sulfate reduction in freshwater sediments receiving acid mine drainage". United States.
@article{osti_5617918,
title = {Sulfate reduction in freshwater sediments receiving acid mine drainage},
author = {Herlihy, A T and Mills, A L},
abstractNote = {One arm of Lake Anna, Va., receives acid mine drainage (AMD) from Contrary Creek (SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ concentration = 2 to 20 mM, pH = 2.5 to 3.5). Acid-volatile sulfide concentrations, SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ reduction rates, and interstitial SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ concentrations were measured at various depths in the sediment at four stations in four seasons to assess the effects of the AMD-added SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ on bacterial SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ reduction. Acid-volatile sulfide concentrations were always an order of magnitude higher at the stations receiving AMD than at a control station in another arm of the lake that received no AMD. Summer SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ reduction rates were also an order of magnitude higher at stations that received AMD than at the control station (226 versus 13.5 mmol m/sup -2/ day/sup -1/), but winter values were inconclusive, probably due to low sediment temperature (6/sup 0/C). Profiles of interstitial SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ concentrations at the AMD stations showed a rapid decrease with depth (from 1270 to 6 ..mu..M in the top 6 cm) due to rapid SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ reduction. Bottom-water SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ concentrations in the AMD-receiving arm were highest in winter and lowest in summer. These data support the conclusion that there is a significant enhancement of SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ reduction in sediments receiving high SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ inputs from AMD.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5617918}, journal = {Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)},
number = ,
volume = 49:1,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985},
month = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985}
}