Abstract
The in situ redox potential (Eh) in anoxic groundwater with high methane and iron contents (approximately 12.3 and 28.4 mg/L, respectively) was potentiometrically measured to identify the processes that control Eh. The measured Eh ranged from −213 to −187 mV; it had an inverse correlation with the concentration of methane and no correlation with that of iron. The saturation indices indicate that goethite and amorphous FeS were nearly at solubility equilibrium. A comparison of the measured Eh with those calculated for the particular redox pairs indicates that either Fe2+/FeOOH or CH4/CO2, but not sulfur redox pairs, controlled the measured Eh. The inverse relationship between measured Eh and methane concentration suggests possible control of the redox conditions by the CH4/CO2 redox pair. Furthermore, the equilibrium solubility state of goethite, which has higher crystallinity and lower solubility than Fe(OH)3 indicates that the iron reaction was electrochemically irreversible. This further supports the contribution of the CH4/CO2 pair to controlling the measured Eh of groundwater.
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Acknowledgments
This study was financially supported by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan. H. Tada and M. Takahashi are gratefully acknowledged for providing field and laboratory assistance. The help provided by Nippon Koei Co., Ltd. and ACE-Shisui Co., Ltd. for drilling and installing the piezometer is also appreciated.
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Ioka, S., Sakai, T., Igarashi, T. et al. Long-term continuous in situ potentiometrically measured redox potential in anoxic groundwater with high methane and iron contents. Environ Earth Sci 64, 143–149 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-010-0830-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-010-0830-x