Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Arsenic Mobilization And Iron Transformations During Sulfidization Of As(V)-Bearing Jarosite, Scott Johnston, Edward Burton, Annabelle Keene, Britta Planer-Friedrich, Andreas Voegelin, Mark Blackford, Greg Lumpkin

Associate Professor Edward D Burton

Jarosite (KFe3(SO4) 2(OH)6) is an important host-phase for As in acid mine drainage (AMD) environments and coastal acid sulfate soils (CASS). In AMD and CASS wetlands, jarosite may encounter S(−II) produced by sulfate reducing bacteria. Here, we examine abiotic sulfidization of As(V)-bearing K-jarosite at pH 4.0, 5.0, 6.5 and 8.0. We quantify the mobilization and speciation of As and identify corresponding Fe mineral transformations. Sulfide-promoted dissolution of jarosite caused release of co-precipitated As and the majority of mobilized As was re-partitioned to a readily exchangeable surface complex (AsEx). In general, maximum As mobilization occurred in the highly sulfidized end-members of …