As(V) and As(III) reactions on pristine pyrite and on surface-oxidized pyrite

Fenglong Sun, Brian A. Dempsey, Kwadwo A. Osseo-Asare

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

Reactions of As(III) and As(V) with pyrite were investigated using pristine pyrite (produced and reacted in a rigorously anoxic environment with PO2<10-8atm) and using surface-oxidized pyrite (produced under anoxic conditions, exposed to air, then stored and reacted under rigorously anoxic conditions). Results with surface-oxidized pyrite were similar to previously reported arsenic-pyrite results. However As(III) adsorbed over a broader pH range on pristine pyrite than on surface-oxidized pyrite, As(V) adsorbed over a narrower pH range on pristine pyrite than on surface-oxidized pyrite, and adsorbed As(V) on pristine pyrite was reduced to As(III) but adsorbed As(V) was not reduced with surface-oxidized pyrite. Reduction of As(V) with pristine pyrite was first-order in total As(V), Fe(II) was released, and sulfur was oxidized. The proposed mechanism for pyrite oxidation by As(V) was similar to the published mechanism for oxidation by O2 and rates were compared. The results can be used to predict the removals of As(V) and As(III) on pyrite in continuously anoxic environments or on pyrite in intermittently oxic/anoxic environments. Rigorous cleanup and continuous maintenance of strictly anoxic conditions are required if commercial or produced pyrites are to be used as surrogates for pristine pyrite.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)170-175
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Colloid And Interface Science
Volume388
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 15 2012

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Biomaterials
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

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