Effects of abiotic mineral transformation of FeS on the dynamic immobilization of Cr(VI) in oxic aquatic environments

Iron sulfide (FeS) can reductively convert soluble Cr(VI) into insoluble Cr(III) under anoxic conditions. However, the fate and transformation of FeS and the stability of immobilized Cr under various oxic environmental conditions are poorly understood. The results show that FeS transforms into pyrrhotite and pyrite intermediates principally and finally lepidocrocite and elemental sulfur, accordingly accounting for 66.1% and 33.9%. Temperature, fulvic acid as natural organic matter and coexisted ions of nitrate, bicarbonate, and calcium affect the evolution of FeS insignificantly. Transformation of FeS involves surface-mediated oxidation of FeS solids, and minor proton-promoted dissolution and oxidation, accompanying synergistic oxidation of Fe(II) and S(-II). Cr(VI) removal performances of oxygenated FeS with increasing duration showed a rise-fall trend. Reduction dominates Cr(VI) uptake first and finally, sorption prevails with the gradual FeS oxygenation. Cr(VI) removal correlates linearly with Cr(VI) reduction, and the reduced Cr species can be predicted based on the known Cr(VI) removal performance. As the FeS oxygenation time increases, newly generated pyrite improves Cr(VI) reduction and removal, and then a decreasing ability to reduce Cr(VI) causes a drop in Cr(VI) removal. These findings provide new insight into the oxidative transformation of FeS in oxic aquatic environments and its impact on Cr(VI) levels. [Display omitted] •FeS is oxidized mainly to lepidocrocite and elemental sulfur in oxic environments.•Pathways for FeS transformation during oxygenation are proposed quantitatively.•Reduction and ensuing sorption by growingly oxygenated FeS dominate Cr(VI) removal.•Reduction performance can be predicted via a linear model with Cr(VI) uptake.•Newly-generated pyrite from oxygenation of FeS may increase Cr(VI) immobilization.