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Isotope composition of sulphate in acid mine drainage as measure of bacterial oxidation

Nature volume 308, pages 538–541 (1984)Cite this article

Abstract

The formation of acid waters by oxidation of pyrite-bearing ore deposits, mine tailing piles, and coal measures is a complex biogeochemical process and is a serious environmental problem. We have studied the oxygen and sulphur isotope geochemistry of sulphides, sulphur, sulphate and water in the field and in experiments to identify sources of oxygen and reaction mechanisms of sulphate formation. Here we report that the oxygen isotope composition of sulphate in acid mine drainage shows a large variation due to differing proportions of atmospheric- and water-derived oxygen from both chemical and bacterially-mediated oxidation. 18O-enrichment of sulphate results from pyrite oxidation facilitated by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans in aerated environments. Oxygen isotope analysis may therefore be useful in monitoring the effectiveness of abatement programmes designed to inhibit bacterial oxidation. Sulphur isotopes show no significant fractionation between pyrite and sulphate, indicating the quantitative insignificance of intermediate oxidation states of sulphur under acid conditions.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. Mark C. Wheeler

    Present address: US Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, California, 94025, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, University of California, Davis, California, 95616, USA

    Bruce E. Taylor & Mark C. Wheeler

  2. Water Resources Division, US Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California, 94025, USA

    Darrel Kirk Nordstrom

Authors
  1. Bruce E. Taylor
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  2. Mark C. Wheeler
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  3. Darrel Kirk Nordstrom
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Taylor, B., Wheeler, M. & Nordstrom, D. Isotope composition of sulphate in acid mine drainage as measure of bacterial oxidation. Nature 308, 538–541 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/308538a0

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