Natural and Anthropogenic Sulfuric Acidification of Lakes

Geller, Walter; Klapper, H.; Schultze, Martin

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-71954-7_1

Cited by 72 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…These mine lakes were formed by groundwater inflow, drainage and rainfall accumulation after closing open cast mines (Geller et al, 1998;Klapper & Schultze, 1995;Nixdorf et al, 2001). In these mine lakes, poorly crystalline Fe(III) oxyhydroxylsulfate minerals precipitate due to the high concentrations of sulfate released during the oxidation of pyrite in the surrounding mine tailings (Küsel, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Schwertmannite formation at cell junctions by a new filament-forming Fe(II)-oxidizing isolate affiliated with the novel genus Acidithrix

Mori

Händel

et al. 2016

Microbiology

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A new acidophilic iron-oxidizing strain (C25) belonging to the novel genus Acidithrix was isolated from pelagic iron-rich aggregates ('iron snow') collected below the redoxcline of an acidic lignite mine lake. Strain C25 catalysed the oxidation of ferrous iron [Fe(II)] under oxic conditions at 25 8C at a rate of 3.8 mM Fe(II) day 21 in synthetic medium and 3.0 mM Fe(II) day 21 in sterilized lake water in the presence of yeast extract, producing the rust-coloured, poorly crystalline mineral schwertmannite [Fe(III) oxyhydroxylsulfate]. During growth, rod-shaped cells of strain C25 formed long filaments, and then aggregated and degraded into shorter fragments, building large cellmineral aggregates in the late stationary phase. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of cells during the early growth phase revealed that Fe(III)-minerals were formed as single needles on the cell surface, whereas the typical pincushion-like schwertmannite was observed during later growth phases at junctions between the cells, leaving major parts of the cell not encrusted. This directed mechanism of biomineralization at specific locations on the cell surface has not been reported from other acidophilic iron-oxidizing bacteria. Strain C25 was also capable of reducing Fe(III) under micro-oxic conditions which led to a dissolution of the Fe(III)-minerals. Thus, strain C25 appeared to have ecological relevance for both the formation and transformation of the pelagic iron-rich aggregates at oxic/anoxic transition zones in the acidic lignite mine lake.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Schwertmannite formation at cell junctions by a new filament-forming Fe(II)-oxidizing isolate affiliated with the novel genus Acidithrix

Mori

Händel

et al. 2016

Microbiology

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“…Compared to most natural lakes, these ecosystems are characterized by low primary production and nutrient concentrations, a high solubility of metals and simple food webs (Geller et al, 1998). In Germany about 500 lignite pit lakes exist of which about 50% have been initially acidic .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During the last few decades, numerous studies have permitted to describe the biogeochemical functioning of these acid mining pit lakes and to currently consider bioremediation strategies (e.g. Peine et al, 2000;Knöller et al, 2004;Meier et al, 2004;Kamjunke et al, 2005;Blodau, 2006;Koschorreck et al, 2007;Geller et al, 2009). The acidity of lake water is a result of the weathering of pyriteand marcasite-enriched surrounding dumps through the production of SO different factors controlling microbial oxidizing and reductive processes within top sediments are thus crucial for the dynamics of acidity generation and consumption, and as a consequence, for the long-term development of acidic mining lakes and their watersheds (Blodau, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of bioturbation on the biogeochemistry of littoral sediments of an acidic post-mining pit lake

2011

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Abstract. In the last decades, the mining exploitation of large areas in Lusatia (Eastern Germany) but also in other mining areas worldwide has led to the formation of hundreds of pit lakes. Pyrite oxidation in the surrounding dumps makes many such lakes extremely acidic (pH < 3). The biogeochemical functioning of these lakes is mainly governed by cycling of iron. This represents a relevant ecological problem and intensive research has been conducted to understand the involved biogeochemical processes and develop bioremediation strategies. Despite some studies reporting the presence of living organisms (mostly bacteria, algae, and macroinvertebrates) under such acidic conditions, and their trophic interactions, their potential impact on the ecosystem functioning was poorly investigated. The present study aimed to assess the influence of chironomid larvae on oxygen dynamics and iron cycle in the sediment of acidic pit lakes. In the Mining Lake 111, used as a study case since 1996, Chironomus crassimanus (Insecta, Diptera) is the dominant benthic macro-invertebrate species and occurs at relatively high abundances in shallow water. A 16-day laboratory experiment using microcosms combined with high resolution measurements (DET gel probes and O 2 microsensors) was carried out. The burrowing activity of C. crassimanus larvae induced a 3-fold increase of the diffusive oxygen uptake by sediment, indicating a stimulation of the mineralization of organic matter in the upper layers of the sediment. The iron cycle was also impacted (e.g. lower rates of reduction and oxidation, increase of iron-oxidizing bacteria abundance, stimulation of mineral formation) but with no significant effect on the iron flux at the sediment-water interface, and thus Correspondence to: S. Lagauzère (lagauzere@gmail.com) on the water acidity budget. This work provides the first assessment of bioturbation in an acidic mining lake and shows that its influence on biogeochemistry cannot be neglected.

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“…Of particular relevance is the oxidation of pyrite, which can decrease the lake water pH to values as low as pH 2 (Geller et al 1998). Acidification through pyrite oxidation can be induced by the inflow of anoxic ground water rich in Fe(II) and its subsequent oxidation and precipitation as ferric (hydr)oxides (McArthur et al 1991).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Acidification through pyrite oxidation can be induced by the inflow of anoxic ground water rich in Fe(II) and its subsequent oxidation and precipitation as ferric (hydr)oxides (McArthur et al 1991). It can be observed both, as a natural process (Childs et al 1998), or as the result of mining activities (Geller et al 1998). Such environments are characterised by high amounts of ferric iron and sulfate (Childs et al 1998;Peine and Peiffer, 1998), and, due to the low pH, by low primary production rates (Gyure et al 1987;Nixdorf and Kapfer 1998).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Electron flow in an iron‐rich acidic sediment—evidence for an acidity‐driven iron cycle

Peine

Tritschler

Küsel

et al. 2000

Limnology & Oceanography

159

172

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The anoxic sediment of an acidic (pH ϳ3) iron-and sulfate-rich lake and its pore water was studied with respect to the turnover rates of solid and dissolved iron and sulfur species. High sedimentation rates of iron (570 g Stracer technique was not detectable in this zone. The absence of sulfide allowed complete reoxidation of dissolved Fe(II) diffusing into oxic parts of the lake water. Thus, an iron cycle is established where acidity generation through this process (1.0-4.7 mol m Ϫ2 a Ϫ1 ) balanced the alkalinity gain through microbial iron reduction in this zone (0.65-4.0 mol m Ϫ2 a Ϫ1 ). Predominance of iron over sulfate reduction under acidic conditions is further stabilized by the transformation of schwertmannite to goethite at a depth of 3-5 cm, which releases acidity at a rate of 3.5 mol m Ϫ2 a Ϫ1 . Below, pore-water pH increased to values between 5 and 6, sulfate reduction occurred with a maximum rate of 14 nmol cm Ϫ3 d Ϫ1 at 9 cm depth. Release of Fe(II) and a short turnover time of reduced sulfur relative to the sediment age implies that most of the sulfide formed seemed to be recycled to sulfate at this depth, presumably coupled to the reduction of iron. Consequently, net alkalinity is generated at low rates only (0.12 mol m Ϫ2 a Ϫ1 ).

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Natural and Anthropogenic Sulfuric Acidification of Lakes

Cited by 72 publications

References 5 publications

Schwertmannite formation at cell junctions by a new filament-forming Fe(II)-oxidizing isolate affiliated with the novel genus Acidithrix

Schwertmannite formation at cell junctions by a new filament-forming Fe(II)-oxidizing isolate affiliated with the novel genus Acidithrix

Influence of bioturbation on the biogeochemistry of littoral sediments of an acidic post-mining pit lake

Electron flow in an iron‐rich acidic sediment—evidence for an acidity‐driven iron cycle

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