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Cobalt is a waste product in many industrial processes and its most common radioactive isotope – 60 Co – is a by-product of nuclear reactors. To better understand the mobility and fate of Co in natural and contaminated environments we investigated Co sorption behaviour to the common soil and sediment constituents ferrihydrite, kaolinite, humic acid (HA), and ferrihydrite-HA and kaolinite-HA organo-mineral composites using sorption batch experiments, synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy (EXAFS), and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). We measured the sorption of Co to the end-member mineral and organic phases and the composites as a function of pH, ionic strength and Co concentration, and also for the composites as a function of organic carbon concentration, with composites made containing a wide range of organic carbon contents. We then determined the molecular mechanisms of Co sorption to the end-member phases and the composites, and used this information to develop molecularly constrained thermodynamic surface complexation models to quantify Co sorption. Sorption to the ferrihydrite-HA and kaolinite-HA organo-mineral composites was found to be intermediate to both of the end-member phases, displaying enhanced sorption respective to the mineral end-member phase at mid-low pH. EXAFS analysis shows that there is a universal sorption mechanism accounting for Co sorption to the end-member mineral and organic phases and the organo-mineral composites at mid-high pH, in which Co sorbs to these phases via inner-sphere bidentate binuclear surface complexes. At mid-low pH, sorption to all the phases except ferrihydrite is the result of outer-sphere complexation. Our new molecularly constrained thermodynamic surface complexation models for Co sorption to ferrihydrite, kaolinite, HA, and ferrihydrite-HA and kaolinite-HA organo-mineral composites, show that Co sorption to the composites cannot be modelled assuming linear additivity of Co sorption to the end-member phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adsorption and coprecipitation of organic matter with iron (hydr)oxides can alter iron (hydr)oxide surface properties and their reactivity towards nutrient elements and heavy metals. Organo−mineral composites were synthesized using humic acid (HA) and iron oxide, during coprecipitation with ferrihydrite (Fh) and adsorption to pre-formed Fh with two C loadings. The Fh−HA coprecipitated composites have a higher C content and smaller surface area compared to the equivalent adsorbed composites. NanoSIMS shows there is a high degree of spatial correlation between Fe and C for both composites, but C distribution is more uniform in the coprecipitated composites. The C 1s NEXAFS reveals a similar C composition between the Fh−HA coprecipitated and adsorbed composites. However composites at high carbon loading are more enriched in aromatic C, likely due to preferential binding of carboxyl functional groups on aromatic rings in the HA. The amount of Cd sorbed is independent of the composite type, either coprecipitated or adsorbed, but is a function of the C loading. Composites with low C loading show Cd sorption that is almost identical to pure Fh, while composites with high C loading show Cd sorption that is intermediate between pure Fh and pure HA, with sorption significantly enhanced over pure Fh at pH < 6.5. A bidentate edge-sharing binding was identified for Cd on pure Fh and Cd-carboxyl binding on pure HA. These findings have significant implications not only for the sequestration of Cd in contaminated environments but also the coupled biogeochemical cycling of Cd, Fe and C in the critical zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of a Fe-Mn binary oxide waste to adsorb arsenic (As) in a historically contaminated soil was investigated. Initial laboratory sorption experiments indicated that arsenite [As(III)] was oxidized to arsenate [As(V)] by the Mn oxide component, with concurrent As(V) sorption to the Fe oxide. The binary oxide waste had As(III) and As(V) adsorption capacities of 70 mg g −1 and 32 mg g −1 respectively. X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Structure and Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure at the As K -edge confirmed that all binary oxide waste surface complexes were As(V) sorbed by mononuclear bidentate corner-sharing, with 2 Fe at ∼3.27 Ǻ. The ability of the waste to perform this coupled oxidation-sorption reaction in real soils was investigated with a 10% by weight addition of the waste to an industrially As contaminated soil. Electron probe microanalysis showed As accumulation onto the Fe oxide component of the binary oxide waste, which had no As innately. The bioaccessibility of As was also significantly reduced by 7.80% (p < 0.01) with binary oxide waste addition. The results indicate that Fe-Mn binary oxide wastes could provide a potential in situ remediation strategy for As and Pb immobilization in contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Tl stable isotopes recorded in marine ferromanganese crusts show great promise as a tracer of past marine and climatic conditions. Key to interpreting recent Tl stable isotope time-series data is a detailed, molecular-level understanding of Tl scavenging by ferromanganese crust minerals and Tl stable isotope fractionation occurring during uptake. To this end, we determine the mechanism of Tl sorption to the primary ferromanganese minerals in crusts, namely hexagonal birnessite, todorokite and ferrihydrite, using XAS. We compliment our data with micro-focus XAS of a Tl-enriched hydrogenetic ferromanganese crust. We show that Tl(I) is oxidised to Tl(III) during sorption to hexagonal birnessite, but not during sorption to todorokite, triclinic birnessite and ferrihydrite. Tl(III) forms an inner-sphere complex at the hexagonal birnessite surface, located at vacant octahedral sites in the phyllomanganate sheets. We show that oxidation of Tl(I) to Tl(III) during reductive dissolution of birnessite is thermodynamically unfavourable; and propose that oxidation of Tl(I) is driven by the formation of the Tl(III) surface complex. Recent theoretical calculations predict a large equilibrium stable isotope fractionation between Tl(I) and Tl(III), leading to Tl(III) species that are enriched in the heavy 205Tl isotope. In light of this work, we propose a molecular sorption–oxidation–fractionation mechanism that provides a unifying explanation for the recently observed geochemical behaviour of Tl in marine ferromanganese-rich sediments. In this mechanism, the proportion of hexagonal birnessite dictates the extent of Tl oxidation, which controls the extent of Tl enrichment and isotope fractionation. This work is among the first to provide a molecular explanation for reported trends in trace element enrichments and stable isotope compositions in geologic deposits. Our molecular sorption–oxidation–fractionation mechanism will ultimately help interpret Tl signals in marine sedimentary archives to provide new constraints on past oceanic and climatic change. In addition, our mechanism should also help explain compositional relationships of other redox-sensitive elements in ferromanganese-rich marine sediments that might also be used as paleoceanographic and paleoclimate proxies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Water treatment residual (WTR) comprises 70 % ferrihydrite & 23 % organic matter. • Pb(II) sorption to WTR depends on initial Pb(II) load, particle size, time & pH. • Pb(II) was sorbed mainly to the ferrihydrite component of WTR. • Pb(II) sorption occurs by bidentate edge-sharing and monodentate or corner-sharing. • WTR could be a long-term effective adsorbent of Pb(II) in contaminated soils. Pb contamination of soils is a global problem. This paper discusses the ability of an Fe-rich waste, water treatment residual (WTR), to adsorb Pb(II). This was investigated using batch sorption experiments, X-ray diffraction, electron microprobe microanalysis, PHREEQC modeling and Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) analysis. The WTR is composed of approximately 23 wt. % natural organic matter (NOM), 70 wt. % ferrihydrite and <10 wt. % silicate material. Pb(II) sorption to WTR was dependent on initial Pb(II) load, particle size, time and pH, but not on ionic strength. EXAFS analysis at the Pb L III -edge confirmed that Pb(II) sorbed to WTR by co-existing bidentate edge-sharing and monodentate or corner-sharing complexes, with 2 O at ∼2.31–2.34 Å, 1 Fe at ∼3.32–3.34 Å, 2 Fe at ∼3.97–3.99 Å and 1 Pb at ∼3.82–3.85 Å. Linear combination showed that the Pb(II)-sorbed spectra were best fit with a ∼0.9 ± 0.1 and 0.1 ± 0.1 contribution from Pb(II)-sorbed ferrihydrite and Pb(II)-sorbed humic acid end members, respectively. Overall, we show that Pb(II) sorbs via strong inner-sphere complexation of Pb(II) to the ferrihydrite component of the WTR, which itself is stable over a wide pH range. Therefore, we suggest that Fe-rich WTR wastes could be used as effective adsorbents in Pb(II)-contaminated soils to help ensure sustainable terrestrial ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mineral-solution interface reactions control the mobility and fate of trace metals (e.g., Zn) and may drive their associated isotopic fractionation in the natural environment, but understanding the coupling between interfacial reactions and isotopic behavior requires a molecular-level understanding of these processes. In this study, we investigate Zn stable isotope fractionation during adsorption to todorokite as a function of reaction time, pH and Zn concentrations. We show that Zn stable isotope fractionation reaches equilibrium at ∼12 h reaction time at pH 6 and Zn concentrations of 0.05 mM. For Zn concentrations of 0.05 and 0.2 mM, Zn isotopic fractionation between adsorbed and aqueous Zn (Δ66Zn adsorbed-aqueous) is approximately −0.1 ± 0.04‰ at pH 3–5, and Δ66Zn adsorbed-aqueous gradually increases from −0.1 ± 0.04‰ to 0.05 ± 0.05‰ at higher pH 6–8. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy shows that Zn adsorbs to the todorokite surface as an outer-sphere octahedral complex with an average Zn O interatomic distance of 2.06 Å at pH 3. In contrast, Zn is predominantly present as a tetrahedral coordinated structure with a shorter average Zn O interatomic distance of ∼2.00–2.05 Å at pH 6 and 8, suggesting the presence of a mixture of octahedral outer-sphere and tetrahedral inner-sphere surface complexes. Density functional theory calculations suggest that outer-sphere surface complexes exist in the center of the structural tunnels of todorokite, yielding a theoretical Zn isotopic fractionation (Δ66Zn adsorbed-aqueous) of −0.2‰ to −0.3‰, whereas the tetrahedral inner-sphere surface complex results in a large Δ66Zn adsorbed-aqueous of +0.5‰ to +0.8‰. Combined laboratory experiments and theoretical calculations demonstrate that different magnitudes of Zn isotopic fractionation are controlled by structural changes (e.g., coordination and bond distance) in the Zn surface complexes formed on todorokite relative to its aqueous form (i.e., aqua Zn(H 2 O) 6 2+). These results provide important new constraints for understanding Zn isotope signatures in natural Mn-rich sediments and lead to a more complete understanding of Zn isotopes in the ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phyllomanganate birnessite is the main Mn-bearing phase in oxic marine sediments, and through coupled sorption and redox exerts a strong control on the oceanic concentration of micronutrient trace metals. However, under diagenesis and mild hydrothermal conditions, birnessite undergoes transformation to the tectomanganate todorokite. The mechanistic details of this transformation are important for the speciation and mobility of metals sequestered by birnessite, and are necessary in order to quantify the role of marine sediments in global trace element cycles. Here we transform a synthetic, poorly crystalline, hexagonal birnessite, analogous to marine birnessite, into todorokite under a mild reflux procedure, developed to mimic marine diagenesis and mild hydrothermal conditions. We characterize our birnessite and reflux products as a time series, employing X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), BET surface area analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS). We provide new insight into the crystallization pathway and mechanism of todorokite formation from birnessite under conditions analogous to those found in marine diagenetic and hydrothermal settings. Specifically we propose a new four-stage process for the transformation of birnessite to todorokite, beginning with todorokite nucleation, then crystal growth from solution to form todorokite primary particles, followed by their self-assembly and oriented growth via oriented attachment to form crystalline todorokite laths, culminating in traditional crystal ripening. We suggest that, contrary to current understanding, trace metals like Ni might retard the transformation of birnessite to todorokite and be released to marine sedimentary pore-waters during this diagenetic process, thus potentially providing a benthic flux of these micronutrients to seawater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Cs sorption occurs to multiple sorption sites, governed by solution concentration. [•] Cs preferentially sorbs to the illitic frayed edge in competition with K. [•] When the frayed edge is saturated Cs sorbs to Type II and Planar sites. [•] Cs sorption to non-specific sites is strongly affected by pH and competing ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radioactive caesium (chiefly 137 Cs) is a major environmental pollutant. The mobility of Cs in temperate soils is primarily controlled by sorption onto clay minerals, particularly the frayed edges of illite interlayers. This paper investigates the adsorption of Cs to illite at the molecular scale, over both the short and long term. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that after initial absorption into the frayed edges, Cs migrated into the illite interlayer becoming incorporated within the mineral structure. Caesium initially exchanged with hydrated Ca at the frayed edges, causing them to collapse. This process was irreversible as Cs held in the collapsed interlayers was not exchangeable with Ca. Over the long term Cs did not remain at the edge of the illite crystals, but diffused into the interlayers by exchange with K. Results from extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS) and density functional theory modelling confirmed that Cs was incorporated into the illite interlayer and revealed its bonding environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have conducted the first study of Tl isotope fractionation during sorption of aqueous Tl(I) onto the manganese oxide hexagonal birnessite. The experiments had different initial Tl concentrations, amounts of birnessite, experimental durations, and temperatures, but all of them exhibit heavy Tl isotope compositions for the sorbed Tl compared with the solution, which is consistent with the direction of isotope fractionation observed between seawater and natural ferromanganese sediments. However, the magnitude of fractionation in all experiments (α ≈1.0002–1.0015, where is smaller than observed between seawater and natural sediments (α ≈1.0019–1.0021; Rehkämper et al., 2002, Earth. Planet. Sci. Lett. 197, 65–81). The experimental results display a strong correlation between the concentration of Tl in the resulting Tl-sorbed birnessite and the magnitude of fractionation. This correlation is best explained by sorption of Tl to two sites on birnessite, one with large isotope fractionation and one with little or no isotope fractionation. Previous work (Peacock and Moon, 2012, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 84, 297–313) indicates that Tl in natural ferromanganese sediments is oxidized to Tl(III) and adsorbed over Mn vacancy sites in the phyllomanganate sheets of birnessite, and we hypothesize that this site is strongly fractionated from Tl in solution due to the change in oxidation state from aqueous Tl(I). In most experiments, which have orders of magnitude more Tl associated with the solid than in nature, these vacancy sites are probably fully saturated, so various amounts of additional Tl are likely sorbed to either edge sites on the birnessite or triclinic birnessite formed through oxidative ripening of the hexagonal starting material, with unknown oxidation state and little or no isotopic fractionation. Thus each experiment displays isotopic fractionation governed by the proportions of Tl in the fractionated and slightly fractionated sites, and those proportions are controlled by how much total Tl is sorbed per unit of birnessite. In the experiments with the lowest initial Tl concentrations in solution (∼0.15–0.4μg/g) and the lowest concentrations of Tl in the resulting Tl-sorbed birnessite (⩽17μgTl/mg birnessite), we observed the largest isotopic fractionations, and fractionation is inversely proportional to the initial aqueous Tl concentration. Again, this correlation can be explained by the simultaneous occupation of two different sorption sites; vacancy sites that carry isotopically fractionated Tl and a second site carrying slightly fractionated Tl. The fractionation factors observed in nature exceed those in the experiments likely because the Tl concentrations in seawater and in ferromanganese sediments are three to four orders of magnitude lower than in our experiments, and therefore the second slightly fractionated sorption site is not significantly utilized. Temperature (6–40°C) and experimental duration (3min–72h) appear to have little or no effects on isotope behaviour in this system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]