title: Pyrite-based autotrophic denitrification for remediation of nitrate contaminated groundwater.
abstract: In this study, pyrite-based denitrification using untreated pyrite (UP) and acid-pretreated pyrite (AP) was evaluated as an alternative to elemental sulfur based denitrification. Pyrite-based denitrification resulted in a favorable nitrate removal rate constant (0.95 d(-1)), sulfate production of 388.00 mg/L, and a stable pH. The pretreatment of pyrite with acid led to a further increase in the nitrate removal rate constant (1.03 d(-1)) and reduction in initial sulfate concentration (224.25±7.50 mg/L). By analyzing the microbial community structure using Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis, it was confirmed that Sulfurimonas denitrificans (S. denitrificans) could utilize pyrite as an electron donor. A stable pH was observed over the entire experimental period, indicating that the use of a pH buffer reagent would not be necessary for pyrite-based denitrification. Therefore, pyrite could effectively replace elemental sulfur as an electron donor in autotrophic denitrification for nitrate-contaminated groundwater remediation.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Evolution (China University of Geosciences, Beijing), Ministry of Education, No. 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), No. 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China.
authors.forename: Jiaoyang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Evolution (China University of Geosciences, Beijing), Ministry of Education, No. 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), No. 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China. Electronic address: fengchuangping@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Chuanping
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), No. 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), No. 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), No. 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China.
authors.forename: Zhe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.affiliation: School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), No. 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China.
authors.forename: Nan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), No. 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China.
authors.forename: Shuang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.affiliation: School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), No. 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China.
authors.forename: Chunbo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hao
authors.affiliation: School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), No. 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China.
authors.forename: Ye
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D052818:Autotrophic Processes / Q000502:physiology; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D020565:Epsilonproteobacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D060587:Groundwater / Q000382:microbiology*; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D009566:Nitrates / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013440:Sulfides / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D009566:Nitrates; D013440:Sulfides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C011342:pyrite; D007501:Iron
keywords: Acid-pretreatment; Autotrophic denitrification; Groundwater; Nitrate removal; Pyrite