Title
Denitrification coupled to pyrite oxidation and changes in groundwater quality in a shallow sandy aquifer
Author
Zhang, Y.-C.
Slomp, C.P.
Broers, H.P.
Passier, H.F.
van Cappellen, P.
TNO Bouw en Ondergrond
Publication year
2009
Abstract
This study focuses on denitrification in a sandy aquifer using geochemical analyses of both sediment and groundwater, combined with groundwater age dating (3H/3He). The study sites are located underneath cultivated fields and an adjacent forested area at Oostrum, The Netherlands. Shallow groundwater in the region has high nitrate concentrations (up to 8 mM) due to intense fertilizer application. Nitrate removal from the groundwater below cultivated fields correlates with sulfate production, and the release of dissolved Fe2+ and pyrite-associated trace metals (e.g. As, Ni, Co and Zn). These results, and the presence of pyrite in the sediment matrix within the nitrate removal zone, indicate that denitrification coupled to pyrite oxidation is a major process in the aquifer. Significant nitrate loss coupled to sulfate production is further confirmed by comparing historical estimates of regional sulfate and nitrate loadings to age-dated groundwater sulfate and nitrate concentrations, for the period 1950-2000. However, the observed increases in sulfate concentration are about 50% lower than would be expected from complete oxidation of pyrite to sulfate, possibly due to the accumulation of intermediate oxidation state sulfur compounds, such as elemental sulfur. Pollutant concentrations (NO3, Cl, As, Co and Ni) measured in the groundwater beneath the agricultural areas in 1996 and 2006 show systematic decreases most likely due to declining fertilizer use. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Subject
Geosciences
aquifer
denitrification
fertilizer application
groundwater
hydrochemistry
nitrate
oxidation
pollutant removal
pyrite
sulfate
water chemistry
water quality
Benelux
Eurasia
Europe
Netherlands
Western Europe
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:37191425-c471-4bbd-a2a4-4fd13b589b04
TNO identifier
279971
ISSN
0016-7037
Source
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 73 (22), 6716-6726
Document type
article