The control of organic matter on microbially mediated iron reduction and arsenic release in shallow alluvial aquifers, Cambodia

  1. H. A. L. ROWLAND1,
  2. R. L. PEDERICK1,
  3. D. A. POLYA1,
  4. R. D. PANCOST2,
  5. B. E. VAN DONGEN2,
  6. A. G. GAULT1,
  7. D. J. VAUGHAN1,
  8. C. BRYANT3,
  9. B. ANDERSON1,
  10. J. R. LLOYD1

Article first published online: 23 MAR 2007

DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-4669.2007.00100.x

Issue

Geobiology

Geobiology

Volume 5, Issue 3, pages 281–292, September 2007

Additional Information

How to Cite

ROWLAND, H. A. L., PEDERICK, R. L., POLYA, D. A., PANCOST, R. D., VAN DONGEN, B. E., GAULT, A. G., VAUGHAN, D. J., BRYANT, C., ANDERSON, B. and LLOYD, J. R. (2007), The control of organic matter on microbially mediated iron reduction and arsenic release in shallow alluvial aquifers, Cambodia. Geobiology, 5: 281–292. doi: 10.1111/j.1472-4669.2007.00100.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, The University of Manchester, M13 9PL, UK

  2. 2

    Organic Geochemistry Unit, Bristol Biogeochemistry Research Centre, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK

  3. 3

    NERC Radiocarbon Laboratory, Scottish Enterprise Technology Park, Rankine Avenue, East Kilbride, G75 0QF, UK

*Corresponding author: David Polya, Tel: +44 (0) 161 275 3818; +44 (0) 161 306 9361; e-mail: david.polya@manchester.ac.uk.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 23 MAR 2007
  2. Article first published online: 23 MAR 2007
  3. Received 03 August 2006; accepted 13 January 2007
Corrected by:

Erratum

Vol. 6, Issue 2, 187, Article first published online: 7 DEC 2007

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (376K)

ABSTRACT

Microbes may play a key role in the mobilization of arsenic present in elevated concentrations within the aquifers extensively exploited for irrigation and drinking water in West Bengal, Bangladesh, and in other regions of South-East Asia. Microcosm experiments using Cambodian sediments (which are also representative of other similar reducing aquifers containing arsenic-rich waters) show that arsenic release and iron reduction are microbially mediated and demonstrate that the type of organic matter present, not necessarily the total abundance of organic matter, is important in controlling the rate and magnitude of microbially mediated arsenic release from these aquifer sediments. The possible role of naturally occurring petroleum in stimulating this process is also demonstrated. In addition to acting as an electron donor, certain types of organic matter may accelerate arsenic release by acting as an electron shuttle, indicating a dual role for organic matter in the process. The results also suggest that the fine-grained sediment regions of these aquifers are particularly vulnerable to accelerated arsenic release following the introduction of labile organic carbon.

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (376K)