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Sulfate reduction in groundwater: characterization and applications for remediation

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Abstract

Sulfate is ubiquitous in groundwater, with both natural and anthropogenic sources. Sulfate reduction reactions play a significant role in mediating redox conditions and biogeochemical processes for subsurface systems. They also serve as the basis for innovative in situ methods for groundwater remediation. An overview of sulfate reduction in subsurface environments is provided, along with a brief discussion of characterization methods and applications for addressing acid mine drainage. We then focus on two innovative, in situ methods for remediating sulfate-contaminated groundwater, the use of zero-valent iron and the addition of electron-donor substrates. The advantages and limitations associated with the methods are discussed, with examples of prior applications.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the University of Arizona TRIF Water Sustainability Program through the Center for Environmentally Sustainable Mining, Schlumberger Inc., and the NIEHS Superfund Research Program (P42 ES04940).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, University of Arizona, 429 Shantz Building #38, P.O. Box 210038, Tucson, AZ, USA

    Z. Miao & M. L. Brusseau

  2. Department of Hydrology and Water Resources, University of Arizona, Harshbarger Building #11, Tucson, AZ, USA

    Z. Miao & M. L. Brusseau

  3. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA

    K. C. Carroll

  4. Engineering Institute, Autonomous University of Baja California, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico

    C. Carreón-Diazconti

  5. Department of Geological Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA

    C. Carreón-Diazconti

  6. InTerraLogic Inc., Fort Collins, CO, USA

    B. Johnson

Authors
  1. Z. Miao
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  2. M. L. Brusseau
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  3. K. C. Carroll
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  4. C. Carreón-Diazconti
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  5. B. Johnson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. L. Brusseau.

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Miao, Z., Brusseau, M.L., Carroll, K.C. et al. Sulfate reduction in groundwater: characterization and applications for remediation. Environ Geochem Health 34, 539–550 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-011-9423-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-011-9423-1

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