title: Immobilization of mercury by pyrite (FeS2).
abstract: Elemental mercury (Hg(0)) is a metal with a number of atypical properties, which has resulted in its use in myriad anthropogenic processes. However, these same properties have also led to severe local subsurface contamination at many places where it has been used. As such, we studied the influence of various parameters on Hg(II) sorption onto pyrite (pH, time, Hg(II) concentration), a potential subsurface reactive barrier. Batch sorption studies revealed that total Hg(II) removal increases with both pH and time. X-ray absorption spectroscopy analysis showed that a transformation in the coordination environment at low pH occurred during aging over 2 weeks, to form an ordered monolayer of monodentate Hg-Cl complexes on pyrite. In column studies packed with pure quartz sand, the transport of Hg(II) was significantly retarded by the presence of a thin pyrite-sand reactive barrier, although dissolved oxygen inhibited Hg(II) sorption onto pyrite in the column.
authors: Department of Civil Engineering, Auburn University, 238 Harbert Engineering Center, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
authors: Julia
authors: J
authors: Bower
authors: Kaye S
authors: KS
authors: Savage
authors: Beth
authors: B
authors: Weinman
authors: Mark O
authors: MO
authors: Barnett
authors: William P
authors: WP
authors: Hamilton
authors: Willie F
authors: WF
authors: Harper
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000327:Adsorption; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011791:Quartz; D013440:Sulfides / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D013995:Time
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D013440:Sulfides; C011342:pyrite; D011791:Quartz; D007501:Iron; D008628:Mercury