Sulfate reduction in freshwater sediments receiving acid mine drainage

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5617918

Herlihy, A T; Mills, A L

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.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Virginia, Charlottesville
• OSTI ID: 5617918
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Vol. 49:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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