ROS formation driven by pyrite-mediated arsenopyrite oxidation and its potential role on arsenic transformation

Pyrite-mediated arsenopyrite oxidation is an important process affecting arsenic (As) mobility. The iron sulfides -induced reactive oxidation species (ROS) can exert significant influence on As transformation. However, the impact of pyrite-arsenopyrite association on ROS production and its contribution to As transformation were rarely estimated. Here, ROS formation and the redox conversion of As during the interaction between pyrite and arsenopyrite as function of O2, pH and pyrite surface oxidation were investigated. Pyrite promoted arsenopyrite oxidation and As(III) oxidation due to heterogeneous electron transfer. The electron transfer from arsenopyrite facilitated O2 reduction on pyrite surface with increasing ROS formation. Hydroxyl radical (HO), superoxide (O2 center dot)- and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were the main reactive species for As(III) oxidation. Iron (hydr)oxides produced from pyrite surface oxidation provided fast electron transfer channels for efficient O2 reduction as evidenced by electrochemical experiment, further verifying the promoted effect of surface-oxidized pyrite (SOP) on arsenopyrite dissolution. However, total As and As(V) obviously decreased during SOP-mediated arsenopyrite oxidation. Iron (hydr)oxides retained appreciable As through adsorption to limit its mobility, and decreased HO production to inhibit As(III) oxidation via decomposing H2O2. This work furthers our understanding of arsenic transformation in the environment which has important implications for mitigating arsenic pollution.

Automated summary

Pyrite-mediated arsenopyrite oxidation is a significant process affecting the mobility of arsenic (As). Reactive oxidation species (ROS) induced by iron sulfides have a notable impact on As transformation. This study investigated ROS formation and the redox conversion of As during the interaction between pyrite and arsenopyrite, considering the factors of O2, pH, and pyrite surface oxidation. The results revealed that pyrite promoted the oxidation of arsenopyrite and As(III) due to heterogeneous electron transfer, leading to increased ROS formation. This work enhances our understanding of arsenic transformation in the environment and has important implications for mitigating arsenic pollution.