Nitrate reduction in the presence of wüstite

Sudipta Rakshit, Christopher J. Matocha, Gerald R. Haszler

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31 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recent strategies to reduce elevated nitrate (NO3) concentrations employ metallic Fe0 as a reductant. Secondary products of Fe0 corrosion include magnetite (Fe3O4), green rust [Fe6(OH)12SO4], and wüstite [FeO(s)]. To our knowledge, no studies have been reported on the reactivity of NO3- with FeO(s). This project was initiated to evaluate the reactivity of FeO(s) with NO3- under abiotic conditions. Stirred batch reactions were performed in an anaerobic chamber over a range of pH values (5.45, 6.45, and 7.45), initial FeO(s) concentrations (1,5, and 10 g L-1), initial NO3- concentrations (1, 10, and 15 mM), and temperatures (3, 21, 31, and 41°C) for kinetic and thermodynamic determinations. Suspensions were periodically removed and filtered to measure dissolved nitrogen and iron species. Solid phases were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Nitrate reduction by FeO was rapid and characterized by nearly stoichiometric conversion of NO3- to NH4. Transient NO2 - formation also occurred. The XRD and SEM results indicated the formation of Fe3O4 as a reaction product of the heterogeneous redox reaction. Kinetics of NO3- reduction suggested a rate equation of the type: -d[NO3-]/dt = k[FeO]0.57[H+]0.22[NO3 -]1.12 where k = 3.46 × 10-3 ± 0.38 × 10-3 M-1 s-1, at 25°C. Arrhenius and Eyring plots indicate that the reaction is surface chemical-controlled and proceeds by an associative mechanism involving a step where both NO3- and FeO(s) bind together in an intermediate complex.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1286-1292
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Environmental Quality
Volume34
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2005

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Water Science and Technology
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Pollution
  • Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

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