Depassivation of Aged Fe-0 by Inorganic Salts: Implications to Contaminant Degradation in Seawater

Liu, T; Li, X; Waite, TD

HERO ID

2128148

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2013

Language

English

PMID

23751097

HERO ID 2128148
In Press No
Year 2013
Title Depassivation of Aged Fe-0 by Inorganic Salts: Implications to Contaminant Degradation in Seawater
Authors Liu, T; Li, X; Waite, TD
Journal Environmental Science & Technology
Volume 47
Issue 13
Page Numbers 7350-7356
Abstract In this study, aged (iron oxide coated) Fe(0) was applied to the degradation of trichloroethylene (TCE) in seawater. It was found that while the aged Fe(0) was inactive with regard to TCE degradation in Milli-Q water, more than 95% of the TCE present was degraded in real and synthetic seawater solutions after exposure to aged Fe(0) for 21 days. Results with individual salts from the synthetic seawater revealed that no significant TCE degradation was observed in the presence of Na2SO4, CaCl2, and NaHCO3. Partial TCE degradation (28.4%) was observed in 500 mM NaCl after 21 days, while a similar extent of degradation to that found in the seawater solutions was observed in 50 mM solutions of magnesium salts (MgCl2 and MgSO4). Results of open circuit potential analysis suggested that the Fe(0) corrosion potential was not a key determinant of extent of TCE reduction since the corrosion potential decreased to levels similar to that of Fe(0)/Fe(2+) in the presence of all salts examined. Lower final pH values and higher dissolved Fe(II) concentrations were observed in the presence of magnesium salts compared to other salts. Formation of the surface complex >FeOMg(+) was identified as being critical to protonation of surface sites, reductive dissolution of the passivating Fe(III) oxyhydroxide layer coating the underlying Fe(0) and enhancement in extent of TCE reduction. These findings provide insight into the molecular-scale mechanism of depassivation of aged Fe(0) by inorganic salts with particular implications for the Fe(0)-mediated degradation of contaminants in saline natural waters such as seawater and saline groundwaters.
Doi 10.1021/es400362w
Pmid 23751097
Wosid WOS:000321521400076
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English