Attenuation of barium, strontium, cobalt, and nickel plumes formed during microbial iron-reduction in a crude-oil-contaminated aquifer
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Abstract
We assessed the spatial distribution of 35 elements in aquifer sediments and groundwater of a crude-oil-contaminated aquifer and show evidence of the dissolution of barium (Ba), strontium (Sr), cobalt (Co), and nickel (Ni) during hydrocarbon oxidation coupled to historic microbial Fe(III)-reduction near the oil. Trace element plumes occur in the crude-oil-contaminated aquifer, where 50% Co, 47% Ni, 24% Ba, and 15% Sr have been mobilized from the sediment near the oil into groundwater, resulting in dissolved masses >33, 18, three, and two times greater than estimated dissolved masses prior to contamination, respectively. Ba2+ and Ni2+ concentrations exceeded the World Health Organization’s drinking-water guidelines of 700 and 20 μg/L, respectively. Sediments attenuate trace element plumes in two geochemically distinct zones, resulting in <0.01% total trace element masses dissolved in groundwater, despite the substantial mobilization near the oil body. Geochemical modeling of the modern Fe(III)-reducing zone suggests trace elements are likely attenuated via coprecipitation with/without sorption on iron carbonate precipitates. In the suboxic transition zone at the leading edge of the plume, Fe(III)-hydroxides sorb Ba2+, Sr2+, Co2+, and Ni2+. This study emphasizes that slow but persistent biogeochemical activity can substantially alter aquifer chemistry over decadal timeframes, a phenomenon we term biogeochemical gradualism.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Attenuation of barium, strontium, cobalt, and nickel plumes formed during microbial iron-reduction in a crude-oil-contaminated aquifer |
| Series title | ACS Earth and Space Chemistry |
| DOI | 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.2c00387 |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue | 7 |
| Year Published | 2023 |
| Language | English |
| Contributing office(s) | Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center |
| Description | 15 p. |
| First page | 1322 |
| Last page | 1336 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| City | Bemidji |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |