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FeS colloids – formation and mobilization pathways in natural waters

Journal Article · · Environmental Science: Nano
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/c9en01427f· OSTI ID:1656732
 [1];  [2];  [1];  [1];  [3];  [4];  [4];  [5];  [1]
  1. SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States). Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL)
  2. Stanford Univ., CA (United States); Univ. of Vienna (Austria); Duke Univ., Durham, NC (United States)
  3. Stanford Univ., CA (United States)
  4. Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
  5. SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States). Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL); Stanford Univ., CA (United States); Duke Univ., Durham, NC (United States)
For this study, we have used synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy (structure of Fe–S clusters), transmission electron microscopy (solid-phase crystallinity), Fourier-transform ion-cyclotron-resonance mass spectrometry (identity and composition of natural organic carbon compounds), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (total aqueous Fe), and the revised ferrozine method (aqueous Fe(II) and Fe(III) concentrations) to determine the stability and nature of colloids generated by sulfidation of ferrihydrite nanoparticles in the absence and presence of organic compounds. We observed that reductive dissolution of ferrihydrite by aqueous sulfide generates nm-scale FeS clusters. Their subsequent aggregation, which promotes settling of FeS aggregates into the solid fraction, was directly correlated with sulfide/Fe ratio. At sulfide/Fe ratios ≤0.5, FeS clusters and larger colloids remained in suspension for at least 14 days (and up to several months). At sulfide/Fe ratios >0.5, sulfidation reaction rates were rapid and FeS cluster aggregation was accelerated. Moreover, the presence of organic compounds increased the time of suspension of FeS colloids, whereas increased ionic strength inhibited the generation of FeS colloids. We present a general conceptual model to predict when and where FeS colloids can form and enhance or inhibit the mobility of contaminants and nutrients associated with them. Our study indicates that in lowsalinity fresh groundwater systems poor in sulfate (i.e. low sulfidation; lakes, floodplains, peatlands etc.), the ferrihydrite sulfidation reaction generates aqueous FeS clusters and larger colloids that remain suspended over long time periods, thus mobilizing a substantial fraction of the total aqueous Fe and S.
Research Organization:
SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
National Institutes of Health (NIH); National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE Office of Legacy Management (LM); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER); USEPA
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-76SF00515
OSTI ID:
1656732
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1633001
Journal Information:
Environmental Science: Nano, Journal Name: Environmental Science: Nano Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 7; ISSN 2051-8153
Publisher:
Royal Society of ChemistryCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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