PNNL

Abstract

Mercury (Hg) is a highly toxic element, and its contamination of groundwater presents a significant threat to terrestrial ecosystems. Understanding the geochemical processes that mediate mercury transformations in the subsurface is necessary to predict its fate and transport. In this study, we investigated the redox transformation of mercuric Hg (Hg[II]) in the presence of the Fe(II)/Fe(III) mixed valence iron oxide mineral magnetite. Kinetic and spectroscopic experiments were performed to elucidate reaction rates and mechanisms. The experimental data demonstrated that reaction of Hg(II) with magnetite results in the loss of Hg(II) and the formation of volatile elemental Hg (Hg[0]). Kinetic experiments showed that Hg(II) reduction occurred within minutes, with reaction rates increasing with increasing magnetite suspension density (0.05 to 0.2 g/L) and solution pH (4.8 to 6.7), and decreasing with increasing chloride concentration (10-6 to 10-2 mol/L). Mössbauer spectroscopic analysis of reacted magnetite samples revealed a decrease in Fe(II) content, corresponding the oxidation of Fe(II) to Fe(III) in the magnetite structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy detected the presence of Hg(II) on magnetite surfaces, suggesting that adsorption is involved in the electron transfer process. These results suggest that Hg(II) reaction with solid-phase Fe(II) is a kinetically favorable pathway for Hg(II) reduction in magnetite-bearing environmental systems.