Origin of methane in high-arsenic groundwater of Taiwan – Evidence from stable isotope analyses and radiocarbon dating

Liu, Tsung-Kwei; Chen, Kuan‐Yu; Yang, T. F.; Chen, Yue‐Gau; Chen, Wenfu; Kang, Su-Chen; Lee, Chih-Ping

doi:10.1016/j.jseaes.2009.06.009

Cited by 8 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 19 publications

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“…The establishment of methanogenic conditions within the redox transition zone could cause As release into groundwater and contamination of yet As-free Pleistocene aquifer, which is used as a main source of potable water. Moreover, high CH 4 concentrations within As-groundwater hotspots have been reported at many locations in SE Asia such as the Bengal, Mekong and Red River deltas, ,− highlighting a potentially important role of CH 4 as a driver of As mobilization, leading to groundwater contamination on a regional and possibly global scale.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Isotopic Labeling Reveals Microbial Methane Oxidation Coupled to Fe(III) Mineral Reduction in Sediments from an As-Contaminated Aquifer

Pienkowska

Głodowska

Mansor

et al. 2021

Environ. Sci. Technol. Lett.

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Although arsenic (As) groundwater contamination in South and Southeast Asia is a threat to human health, mechanisms of its release from sediment to groundwater are still not fully understood. In many aquifers, Fe(III) minerals are often the main hosting phases for As and their stability is crucial for As mobility. Recently, a new mechanism for As mobilization into groundwater was proposed with methane (CH4) serving as an electron donor for microbially mediated reductive dissolution of As-bearing Fe(III) minerals. To provide unequivocal evidence for the occurrence of Fe(III)-coupled methanotrophy, we incubated sediments from an As-contaminated aquifer in Hanoi (Vietnam) anoxically with isotopically labeled 13CH4. Up to 35% of the available Fe(III) was reduced within 232 days with simultaneous production of 13CO2 demonstrating anaerobic oxidation of 13CH4 with Fe(III) as the electron acceptor. The microbial community at the end of the incubation was dominated by archaea affiliating with Candidatus Methanoperedens, implying its involvement in Fe(III)-dependent CH4 oxidation. These results suggest that methanotrophs can contribute to dissolution of As-bearing Fe(III) minerals, which eventually leads to As-release into groundwater.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Isotopic Labeling Reveals Microbial Methane Oxidation Coupled to Fe(III) Mineral Reduction in Sediments from an As-Contaminated Aquifer

Pienkowska

Głodowska

Mansor

et al. 2021

Environ. Sci. Technol. Lett.

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Monitoring concentration and isotopic composition of methane in groundwater in the Utica Shale hydraulic fracturing region of Ohio

Botner

Townsend‐Small

Nash

et al. 2018

Environ Monit Assess

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Degradation of groundwater quality is a primary public concern in rural hydraulic fracturing areas. Previous studies have shown that natural gas methane (CH) is present in groundwater near shale gas wells in the Marcellus Shale of Pennsylvania, but did not have pre-drilling baseline measurements. Here, we present the results of a free public water testing program in the Utica Shale of Ohio, where we measured CH concentration, CH stable isotopic composition, and pH and conductivity along temporal and spatial gradients of hydraulic fracturing activity. Dissolved CH ranged from 0.2 μg/L to 25 mg/L, and stable isotopic measurements indicated a predominantly biogenic carbonate reduction CH source. Radiocarbon dating of CH in combination with stable isotopic analysis of CH in three samples indicated that fossil C substrates are the source of CH in groundwater, with one C date indicative of modern biogenic carbonate reduction. We found no relationship between CH concentration or source in groundwater and proximity to active gas well sites. No significant changes in CH concentration, CH isotopic composition, pH, or conductivity in water wells were observed during the study period. These data indicate that high levels of biogenic CH can be present in groundwater wells independent of hydraulic fracturing activity and affirm the need for isotopic or other fingerprinting techniques for CH source identification. Continued monitoring of private drinking water wells is critical to ensure that groundwater quality is not altered as hydraulic fracturing activity continues in the region. Graphical abstract A shale gas well in rural Appalachian Ohio. Photo credit: Claire Botner.

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Geochemical effects of dissolved organic matter biodegradation on arsenic transport in groundwater systems

Wang

Xie

et al. 2015

Journal of Geochemical Exploration

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Origin of methane in high-arsenic groundwater of Taiwan – Evidence from stable isotope analyses and radiocarbon dating

Cited by 8 publications

References 19 publications

Isotopic Labeling Reveals Microbial Methane Oxidation Coupled to Fe(III) Mineral Reduction in Sediments from an As-Contaminated Aquifer

Isotopic Labeling Reveals Microbial Methane Oxidation Coupled to Fe(III) Mineral Reduction in Sediments from an As-Contaminated Aquifer

Monitoring concentration and isotopic composition of methane in groundwater in the Utica Shale hydraulic fracturing region of Ohio

Geochemical effects of dissolved organic matter biodegradation on arsenic transport in groundwater systems

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