Iron
(oxyhydr)oxides play an important role in controlling the
mobility and toxicity of arsenic (As) in contaminated soils and groundwaters.
Dynamic changes in subsurface geochemical conditions can impact As
sequestration and remobilization since the fate of As is highly dependent
on the dominant iron mineral phases present and, specifically, the
pathways through which these form or transform. To assess the fate
of arsenate [As(V)] in subsurface settings, we have investigated the
Fe2+-induced transformation of As(V)-bearing ferrihydrite
(As(V)-FH) to more crystalline phases under environmentally relevant
anoxic subsurface conditions. Specifically, we examined the influence
of varying Fe2+
(aq)/Fe(III)solid ratios
(0.5, 1, 2) on the behavior and speciation of mineral-bound As species
during the transformation of As(V)-FH to crystalline iron-bearing
phases at circumneutral pH conditions. At all Fe2+
(aq)/Fe(III)solid ratios, goethite (GT), green rust
sulfate (GRSO4), and lepidocrocite (LP) formed within the
first 2 h of reaction. At low ratios (0.5 to 1), initially formed
GRSO4 and/or LP dissolved as the reaction progressed, and
only GT and some unreacted FH remained after 24 h. At Fe2+
(aq)/Fe(III)solid ratio of 2, GRSO4 remained stable throughout the 24 h of reaction, alongside GT and
unreacted As(V)-FH. Despite the fact that majority of the starting
As(V)-FH transformed to other phases, the initially adsorbed As was
not released into solution during the transformation reactions, and
∼99.9% of it remained mineral-bound. Nevertheless, the initial
As(V) became partially reduced to As(III), most likely because of
the surface-associated Fe2+-GT redox couple. The extent
of As(V) reduction increased from ∼34% to ∼40%, as the
Fe2+
(aq)/Fe(III)solid ratio increased
from 0.5 to 2. Overall, our results provide important insights into
transformation pathways of iron (oxyhydr)oxide minerals in As contaminated,
anoxic soils and sediments and demonstrate the impact that such transformations
can have on As mobility and also importantly oxidation state and,
hence, toxicity in these environments.