Microbial effects on geochemical behavior of arsenic in As-contaminated sediments

The purpose of this study is to investigate the contamination level and chemical speciation of As in sediments from the Hwachon Au mine area, and to study the effects of indigenous bacteria on geochemical behavior of As in As-contaminated sediments from the mine. Concentrations of heavy metal and metalloids in one composite sample of 9 Hwachon sediments were 24.9 As mg/kg, 16.6 Cd mg/kg, 230 Pb mg/kg and 1080 Zn mg/kg. This indicates that this area was seriously contaminated with As, Cd and Zn. From the result of sequential extraction analysis, most of As (87.9%) existed as a phase of As which coprecipitated with Fe oxyhydroxides. Under aerobic condition, As concentration leached from sediments were 4 times higher in non-sterile than in sterile condition. This enrichment of As leaching could be caused by increase of pH and exudation secreted during microbial metabolism. On the other hand, under anaerobic condition, As concentration has dramatically increased in non-sterile solution with time. This As leaching has begun on 4–5th days of incubation and the highest concentration of 511 As μg/l was recorded on about 11th day. Arsenic leaching under anaerobic condition was caused by microbial enhancement of Fe leaching. Total Fe concentration increased from the 4th day, and this Fe leaching might cause lixiviation of As which had been coprecipitated with Fe oxyhydroxide.