Sulfur and oxygen isotope tracing in zero valent iron based In situ remediation system for metal contaminants

In the present study, controlled laboratory column experiments were conducted to understand the biogeochemical changes during the microbial sulfate reduction. Sulfur and oxygen isotopes of sulfate were followed during sulfate reduction in zero valent iron incubated flow through columns at a constant temperature of 20 ± 1 °C for 90 d. Sulfur isotope signatures show considerable variation during biological sulfate reduction in our columns in comparison to abiotic columns where no changes were observed. The magnitude of the enrichment in δ34S values ranged from 9.4‰ to 10.3‰ compared to initial value of 2.3‰, having total fractionation δS between biotic and abiotic columns as much as 6.1‰. Sulfur isotope fractionation was directly proportional to the sulfate reduction rates in the columns. Oxygen isotopes in this experiment seem less sensitive to microbial activities and more likely to be influenced by isotopic exchange with ambient water. A linear relationship is observed between δ34S and δ18O in biotic conditions and we also highlight a good relationship between δ34S and sulfate reduction rate in biotic columns.

► We followed sulfur and oxygen isotope fractionation of dissolved sulfate molecule in groundwater. ► Sediment was incubated with zero valent iron in flow through columns. ► Microbial sulfate reduction was observed. ► A good relationship between δ34S and sulfate reduction rate was obtained. ► A linear relationship is between δ34S and δ18O was observed.