BackgroundIn soils and sediments, manganese oxides and oxygen usually participate in the
oxidation of ferrous ions. There is limited information concerning the interaction process and
mechanisms of ferrous ions and manganese oxides. The influence of air (oxygen) on reaction process
and kinetics has been seldom studied. Because redox reactions usually occur in open systems, the
participation of air needs to be further investigated.ResultsTo simulate this process, hexagonal birnessite was prepared and used to oxidize
ferrous ions in anoxic and aerobic aqueous systems. The influence of pH, concentration, temperature,
and presence of air (oxygen) on the redox rate was studied. The redox reaction of birnessite and
ferrous ions was accompanied by the release of Mn2+ and
K+ ions, a significant decrease in Fe2+
concentration, and the formation of mixed lepidocrocite and goethite during the initial stage.
Lepidocrocite did not completely transform into goethite under anoxic condition with pH about 5.5
within 30 days. Fe2+ exhibited much higher catalytic activity than
Mn2+ during the transformation from amorphous Fe(III)-hydroxide to
lepidocrocite and goethite under anoxic conditions. The release rates of
Mn2+ were compared to estimate the redox rates of birnessite and
Fe2+ under different conditions.ConclusionsRedox rate was found to be controlled by chemical reaction, and increased with
increasing Fe2+ concentration, pH, and temperature. The formation of
ferric (hydr)oxides precipitate inhibited the further reduction of birnessite. The presence of air
accelerated the oxidation of Fe2+ to ferric oxides and facilitated the
chemical stability of birnessite, which was not completely reduced and dissolved after 18 days. As
for the oxidation of aqueous ferrous ions by oxygen in air, low and high pHs facilitated the
formation of goethite and lepidocrocite, respectively. The experimental results illustrated the
single and combined effects of manganese oxide and air on the transformation of
Fe2+ to ferric oxides.Graphical abstract:Lepidocrocite and goethite were formed during the interaction of
ferrous ion and birnessite at pH 4-7. Redox rate was controlled by the adsorption of Fe2+ on the
surface of birnessite. The presence of air (oxygen) accelerated the oxidation of Fe2+ to ferric
oxides and facilitated the chemical stability of birnessite