Journal article
Dichloroethene reduction by Fe(II): role of transient Fe(II) phases
Environmental science--processes & impacts, Vol.27(9), pp.2770-2784
09/01/2025
DOI: 10.1039/d5em00274e
PMID: 40773167
Abstract
Chlorinated ethenes (CEs) are some of the most commonly found groundwater contaminants, and their clean-up still relies heavily on energy intensive clean-up practices such as pump and treat. As a sustainable alternative, abiotic natural attenuation by Fe(II) species would be preferable. While data is available on reduction of some CEs by stable Fe(II) phases, these reactions appear to be slower than reduction by freshly precipitated, transient Fe(II) phases (i.e., reactive mineral intermediates, RMIs). Here, we evaluated cis-1,2-dichloroethene (cDCE) reduction by stable and transient Fe(II)-containing phases, and characterized the transient phases formed. In the absence of aqueous Fe(II) (Fe(II)aq), magnetite, chloride green rust, hematite, mackinawite, and clay minerals did not reduce cDCE. When Fe(II)aq was present with these minerals, reduction usually occurred when conditions favored precipitation of ferrous hydroxide (Fe(OH)2). Additionally, we observed cDCE reduction by Fe(II) precipitates made from FeCl2 and ferrous ammonium sulfate (FAS), but never with FeSO4 present. Under no conditions, with or without Fe(II)aq, was cDCE reduced by goethite, chukanovite, sulfate green rust, or aluminum oxide. Mössbauer spectra of the transient phases indicate that ferrous (oxy)hydroxides such as Fe(OH)2 formed from FeCl2 and FeSO4 and a green rust-like precipitate formed from FAS. These spectra suggest that reduction is faster when the phases are less ordered, possibly because the Fe(II) precipitates are less crystalline or form smaller particles. Our work suggests that although most stable Fe(II) phases do not reduce cDCE sufficiently fast for significant abiotic natural attenuation, Fe(II) RMI phases may contribute to attenuation of cDCE plumes.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Dichloroethene reduction by Fe(II): role of transient Fe(II) phases
- Creators
- Caroline E Chelsvig - University of Iowa, IIHR--Hydroscience and EngineeringMalvika Patial - Newcastle UniversityDrew E Latta - University of IowaPaul G Tratnyek - Oregon Health & Science UniversityAnke Neumann - Paul Scherrer InstituteMichelle M Scherer - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Environmental science--processes & impacts, Vol.27(9), pp.2770-2784
- DOI
- 10.1039/d5em00274e
- PMID
- 40773167
- NLM abbreviation
- Environ Sci Process Impacts
- ISSN
- 2050-7895
- eISSN
- 2050-7895
- Publisher
- Royal Society of Chemistry; CAMBRIDGE
- Grant note
- Division of Graduate Education: ER20-1357 Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program of the U.S. Department of DefenseSERDP: 1633098 National Science Foundation Division of Graduate Education
This work was supported by the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program of the U.S. Department of Defense, Award Number ER20-1357 (Tratnyek, PI). This manuscript has not been subject to review by SERDP and therefore does not necessarily reflect agency views and no official endorsements should be inferred. This work was also supported by the National Science Foundation Division of Graduate Education Grant No. 1633098.
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 08/07/2025
- Date published
- 09/01/2025
- Academic Unit
- Civil and Environmental Engineering; IIHR--Hydroscience and Engineering
- Record Identifier
- 9984944730102771
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