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Improving arsenopyrite oxidation rate laws: implications for arsenic mobilization during aquifer storage and recovery (ASR)

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Abstract

Aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) and aquifer recharge (AR) provide technical solutions to address water supply deficits and growing future water demands. Unfortunately, the mobilization of naturally present arsenic due to ASR/AR operations has undermined its application on a larger scale. Predicting arsenic mobility in the subsurface during ASR/AR is further complicated by site-specific factors, including the arsenic mobilization mechanisms, groundwater flow conditions, and multi-phase geochemical interactions. In order to ensure safe and sustainable ASR/AR operation, a better understanding of these factors is needed. The current study thus aims to better characterize and model arsenic remobilization at ASR/AR sites by compiling and analyzing available kinetic data on arsenic mobilization from arsenopyrite under different aqueous conditions. More robust and widely applicable rate laws are developed for geochemical conditions relevant to ASR/AR. Sensitivity analysis of these new rate laws gives further insight into the controlling geochemical factors for arsenic mobilization. When improved rate laws are incorporated as the inputs for reactive transport modeling, arsenic mobilization in ASR/AR operations can be predicted with an improved accuracy. The outcomes will be used to guide groundwater monitoring and specify ASR/AR operational parameters, including water pretreatment requirements prior to injection.

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Acknowledgements

The research effort in this paper is a part of the EPA’s Safe and Sustainable Water Resources (SSWR) and Air Climate and Energy (ACE) research program. Funding and resources from these programs are acknowledged. CWN acknowledges the generous support of the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) program. Furthermore, we thank two anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments. This paper has been subjected to the Agency’s administrative review and has been approved for external publication. Any opinions expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Agency or ORISE; therefore, no official endorsement should be inferred. Any mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Office of Research and Development, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W. Martin Luther King Dr., Cincinnati, OH, 45268, USA

    Chelsea W. Neil & Y. Jeffrey Yang

  2. Prevention Branch, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA

    M. Jason Todd

  3. Risk Assessment Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA

    M. Jason Todd

Authors
  1. Chelsea W. Neil
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Correspondence to Chelsea W. Neil.

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Neil, C.W., Jason Todd, M. & Jeffrey Yang, Y. Improving arsenopyrite oxidation rate laws: implications for arsenic mobilization during aquifer storage and recovery (ASR). Environ Geochem Health 40, 2453–2464 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-018-0111-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-018-0111-2

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