Use of Dissolved H2 Concentrations To Determine Distribution of Microbially Catalyzed Redox Reactions in Anoxic Groundwater

The potential for using concentrations of dissolved hydrogen to determine the distribution of redox processes in anoxic groundwaters was evaluated. Concentrations of hydrogen were determined in 4 pristine aquifers in South Carolina, U.S.A., and 2 petroleum-contaminated aquifers in Minnesota and Sout...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental science & technology 1994-07, Vol.28 (7), p.1205-1210
Main Authors: Lovley, Derek R, Chapelle, Francis H, Woodward, Joan C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Geochemistry
Hydrogeology
Hydrology. Hydrogeology
Mineralogy
Silicates
Water geochemistry
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Summary:The potential for using concentrations of dissolved hydrogen to determine the distribution of redox processes in anoxic groundwaters was evaluated. Concentrations of hydrogen were determined in 4 pristine aquifers in South Carolina, U.S.A., and 2 petroleum-contaminated aquifers in Minnesota and South Carolina using gas chromatography. In the anoxic groundwaters of the uncontaminated aquifers, the probable terminal electron accepting process (TEAP) in the aquifer corresponded with the TEAP predicted from the hydrogen measurements. The hydrogen concentrations associated with the TEAP of iron(III) reduction, sulphate reduction or methane production were the same in groundwater as in aquatic sediments. It was impossible to determine which TEAP predominated in specific locations in the contaminated aquifers. The TEAP predicted from measurements of dissolved hydrogen were the same as those determined through measurements of microbial processes in incubated aquifer material.
ISSN:0013-936X
1520-5851
DOI:10.1021/es00056a005