Kinetics of inorganic arsenopyrite oxidation in acidic aqueous solutions

In an effort to help evaluate the significance of common primary As-bearing minerals in releasing As into surface and ground waters, experiments were performed to determine rate laws for the irreversible inorganic aqueous oxidation of arsenopyrite by dissolved O2, Fe3+ and image in low temperature acidic solutions. Batch reactor run conditions varied from pH 2–4.5 and 10–40 °C at ionic strength 0.01 M. A major constraint on defining and measuring the rate of arsenopyrite oxidation is the non-stoichiometry (incongruency) of the reaction in acidic solutions; As and S are not released completely into solution, apparently remaining behind as more slowly-dissolving solids in an Fe-depleted lattice. Therefore the rate of mineral oxidation (destruction) at low pH is best defined and measured by rates of change in total dissolved Fe concentrations, not by changes in dissolved As or S concentrations or Eh. The measured mineral dissolution rate therefore places an upper limit on actual inorganic As-release rates, providing a conservative basis for geochemical modeling that may over-predict, but not underestimate, As concentrations observed in natural settings.