Comparison of Eh and H2 measurements for delineating redox processes in a contaminated aquifer

Environmental Science & Technology
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

Measurements of oxidation-reduction potential (Eh) and concentrations of dissolved hydrogen (H2) were made in a shallow groundwater system contaminated with solvents and jet fuel to delineate the zonation of redox processes. Eh measurements ranged from +69 to -158 mV in a cross section of the contaminated plume and accurately delineated oxic from anoxic groundwater. Plotting measured Eh and pH values on an equilibrium stability diagram indicated that Fe(III) reduction was the predominant redox process in the anoxic zone and did not indicate the presence of methanogenesis and sulfate reduction. In contrast, measurements of H2concentrations indicated that methanogenesis predominated in heavily contaminated sediments near the water table surface (H2 ∼ 7.0 nM) and that the methanogenic zone was surrounded by distinct sulfate-reducing (H2 ∼ 1-4 nM) and Fe(III)-reducing (H2 ∼ 0.1-0.8 nM) zones. The presence of methanogenesis, sulfate reduction, and Fe(III) reduction was confirmed by the distribution of dissolved oxygen, sulfate, Fe(II), and methane in groundwater. These results show that H2 concentrations were more useful for identifying anoxic redox processes than Ehmeasurements in this groundwater system. However, H2-based redox zone delineations are more reliable when H2 concentrations are interpreted in the context of electron-acceptor (oxygen, nitrate, sulfate) availability and the presence of final products [Fe(II), sulfide, methane] of microbial metabolism.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Comparison of Eh and H2 measurements for delineating redox processes in a contaminated aquifer
Series title Environmental Science & Technology
DOI 10.1021/es960249
Volume 30
Issue 12
Year Published 1996
Language English
Publisher ACS Publications
Contributing office(s) Michigan Water Science Center, Toxic Substances Hydrology Program
Description 5 p.
First page 3365
Last page 3569
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details