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Reduction of Nitrate By Fe2+ in Clay Minerals

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2024

Vibeke Ernstsen
Vibeke Ernstsen*
Affiliation:
Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Thoravej 8, DK-2400, Copenhagen NV, Denmark
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Abstract

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In the 12 km2 catchment area of Syv creek, Denmark, moderate to high concentrations of nitrate (NO3−) occurred in the upper part of the oxidized zone (oxic-I), but dropped within the lower suboxic part (oxic-II), to below the detection limit in the unoxidized zone. Structural Fe2+ in the clay minerals made up 10 to 12% of the Fe in the oxidized zone and increased to approximately 50% in the unoxidized zone. Concurrent with changes in the distribution of structural Fe2+ the clay mineral constituents changed. Vermiculite was typically found in the oxidized zone whereas chlorite was found in the unoxidized zone only. A conversion of illite and chlorite into vermiculite seems to take place. A significant correlation between NO3− and the amount of reduced Fe2+ in the suboxic (oxic-II) zone, indicates that primary structural Fe2+ in the clay minerals is the reductant in a NO3− reduction process.

Keywords

ChloriteClayey tillExchangeable ferrous ironIlliteMössbauerNitrateOxidizedStructural ferrous ironUnoxidizedVermiculiteWeichselianX-ray
Type
Research Article
Information
Clays and Clay Minerals , Volume 44 , Issue 5 , October 1996 , pp. 599 - 608
Copyright
Copyright © 1996, The Clay Minerals Society

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