XANES-EXAFS analysis of se solid-phase reaction products formed upon contacting Se(IV) with FeS2 and FeS

The solid-phase Se speciation after short-term (3 weeks) contact of selenite [Se(IV)] oxyanions with pyrite (FeS2) and troilite(FeS)was investigated using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS; X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy-extended X-ray absorption fine structure (XANES-EXAFS)). It was found that the nature of the sulfide mineral dictates the final speciation since respectively Se-0 and FeSex, were formed, meaning that the reaction mechanism is different and that these phases cannot be regarded as geochemically similar. The experimental results support the previously proposed sorption/reduction mechanism for the reaction of selenite with pyrite (8). In the presence of troilite the reduction proceeds through the intermediate formation of Se-0 by reduction of selenite with dissolved sulfide. XAS data recorded for the FeS2 and FeS were compared with different Se reference phases, ranging in oxidation state from -II to +IV, used for validation of the XAS analysis methodology. This methodology can in principle be used to analyze Se phases formed in in situ geochemical conditions such as high-level radioactive waste disposal facilities.