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Study of galvanic interactions between pyrite and chalcopyrite in a flowing system: implications for the environment

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

When galvanic interactions between pyrite and chalcopyrite occur in solution, pyrite, with the higher rest potential, acts as a cathode and is protected whereas chalcopyrite, with the lower rest potential, acts as an anode and its oxidation is increased. In this work a three-electrode system was used to investigate the corrosion current density and mixed potential of a galvanic cell comprising a pyrite cathode and a chalcopyrite anode in a flowing system. The results showed that with increasing concentration of ferric ion in the solution, with increasing acidity, and with increasing flow rate of the solution, the corrosion current density increased and the mixed potential of the galvanic cell became more positive. These experimental results are of direct significance to the control of environmental pollution in mining activity. By using the galvanic model, mixed potential theory, and the Butler–Volmer equation, the experimental results were explained theoretically.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by a grant from the Knowledge–Innovation Program sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (KZCX3-SW-124). Senior Engineer Wang Mingzai of the Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, conducted the electron microprobe analysis on samples. We are indebted to Senior Engineers Xu Huigang and Yang Meiqi for their helpful instructions in our experiments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Study of the Earth’s Interior and Geofluids, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550002, China

    Liu Qing You, Li Heping & Zhou Li

  2. Graduate School, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China

    Liu Qing You & Zhou Li

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  1. Liu Qing You
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  2. Li Heping
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  3. Zhou Li
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Correspondence to Li Heping.

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Qing You, L., Heping, L. & Li, Z. Study of galvanic interactions between pyrite and chalcopyrite in a flowing system: implications for the environment. Environ Geol 52, 11–18 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-006-0444-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-006-0444-5

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