Phosphate immobilisation dynamics and interaction with arsenic sorption at redox transition zones in floodplain aquifers: Insights from the Red River Delta, Vietnam

A critical review on arsenic and antimony adsorption and transformation on mineral facets

Arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb), with analogy structure, belong to VA group in the periodic table and pose a great public concern due to their potential carcinogenicity. The speciation distribution, migration and transformation, enrichment and retention, as well as bioavailability and toxicity of As and Sb are influenced by several environmental processes on mineral surfaces, including adsorption/desorption, coordination/precipitation, and oxidation/reduction. These interfacial reactions are influenced by the crystal facet of minerals with different atomic and electronic structures. This review starts with facets and examines As and Sb adsorption and transformation on mineral facets such hematite, titanium dioxide, and manganese dioxide. The main focus lies on three pressing issues that limit the understanding of the environmental fate of As and Sb: the facet-dependent intricacies of adsorption and transformation, the mechanisms underlying facet-dependent phenomena, and the impact of co-existing chemicals. We first discussed As and Sb adsorption behaviors, structures, and bonding chemistry on diverse mineral facets. Subsequently, the reactivity of various mineral facets was examined, with particular emphasis placed on their significance in the context of environmental catalysis for the oxidation of As(III) and Sb(III). Finally, the impact of co-existing cation, anion, or organic substances on the processes of adsorption and transport of As and Sb was reviewed. This comprehensive review enhances our understanding of the facet-dependent phenomena governing adsorption, transformation, and fate of contaminants. It underscores the critical role of mineral facets in dictating environmental reactions and paves the way for future research in this intriguing field.

Sources and fate of nitrate in the unsaturated zone in an alluvial-lacustrine plain

Nitrate pollution in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in global agricultural areas poses an environmental concern. However, there is limited understanding of hydrogeological controls on the behavior of nitrogen compounds in unsaturated zones. Here, Self-Organizing Map and multiple isotopes approaches (δ15N-NO3-, δ18O-NO3-, and δ15N-NH4+) were used to investigate the sources, transport and transformation of N-species in the unsaturated zone in an alluvial-lacustrine plain, southeast China. The results revealed significant spatial heterogeneity in soil texture and physicochemical properties with vertically four soil geochemical and N-species zones (high NO₃⁻, high Fe(Ⅲ) and Mn, low ionic, and high NH₄⁺ contents), dominated by agricultural input, soil minerals and redox conditions. Nitrate in the unsaturated zone primarily originated from fertilizers and soil nitrogen. Excess nitrogen fertilizers infiltrated into the soil, where mineralization, nitrification, and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) acted as key mechanisms for nitrogen transformation. The change in the depositional environment from the plain to the lakeshore area led to nitrification gradual decrease and DNRA significant increase. Consequently, a conceptual model of reactive transport of N-species, influenced by hydrogeologic conditions and biogeochemical processes, was proposed. This study provides a new insight into the nitrate behaviors in unsaturated zone and contributes to groundwater nitrogen management strategies.

Contribution of Microbial Metabolism to Geogenic Phosphorus Enrichment in Groundwater: Insights from Metagenomic Sequencing and Organic Molecular Characterization

Microbial mediation in the enrichment of geogenic phosphorus (P) is often mentioned but rarely explored, especially in P enrichment processes through the mineralization of dissolved organic matter (DOM) containing natural P. To bridge the theoretical gap, this study investigated the mechanisms of P enrichment through microbially mediated mineralization of natural P-containing DOM by adopting an approach combining comprehensive field investigation with hydrochemical and molecular biological analyses. The co-analysis of the dominant microbial community compositions and genomics revealed that the microbial metabolism pathways involved in the biodegradation of P-containing DOM were associated with the enrichment level of dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP). Specifically, dephosphorylation was more pronounced under conditions of limited DIP, while C-P bond cleavage was the primary metabolic pathway under sufficient DIP. Co-occurrence network analysis further indicated that the substrates for DIP enrichment differed between dephosphorylation and C-P bond cleavage, namely CHONSP1 compounds in the region of highly unsaturated-low O compounds (AI ≤ 0.5, H/C < 1.5, and O/C < 0.4) and CHOP1 compounds in the region of highly unsaturated-high O compounds (AI ≤ 0.5, H/C < 1.5, and O/C ≥ 0.4), respectively. These findings provide new insights into geogenic P enrichment in groundwater from the perspective of microbial metabolism and have potential implications for the bioremediation of P-contaminated groundwater at different contamination levels.

Unraveling the fate of phosphorus in alluvial aquifers of the middle-lower Yellow River: Coupled natural and anthropogenic impacts

In recent years, groundwater phosphorus (P) contamination has received increasing attention, yet most studies focus solely on either anthropogenic or geogenic influences. This research addressed the combined effects of human activities and natural processes on P enrichment in the middle-lower Yellow River basin, where dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) concentrations reached 0.59 mg/L. Hydrogeochemical analysis, along with multiple statistical methods and the Redfield ratio, revealed that geogenic processes were the dominant drivers of groundwater P enrichment, accounting for 77.5 % of the samples, while anthropogenic activities, particularly intensive agriculture, densely residential area and industrial development, contributed to P inputs in 22.5 % of the samples. Further analysis using dual isotopes (δ13C-DIC and δ56Fe) demonstrated that OP mineralization was the dominant geogenic P enrichment process, with the reductive dissolution of P-rich iron minerals serving as a secondary contributor. A comparative analysis between the middle-lower Yellow River basin and the central Yangtze River basin highlighted that the abundance of natural P-containing carriers and the closed or open nature of the groundwater environment jointly determined the extent of geogenic and anthropogenic P enrichment. This study provides valuable insights into the coupled impacts of natural and anthropogenic factors, enhancing our understanding of groundwater P dynamics.

Interactions between phosphate and arsenic in iron/biochar-treated groundwater: Corrosion control insights from column experiments

An increasing number of studies have reported the coexistence of arsenic (As) and phosphorus at high concentrations in groundwater, which threatens human health and increases the complexity of groundwater remediation. However, limited work has been done regarding As interception in the presence of phosphate in flowing systems. In this study, a series of experiments were conducted to evaluate the interactions between phosphate and As during As removal by iron (Fe)-based biochar (FeBC). The addition of phosphate promoted As removal by FeBC in the batch and column experiments. X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) analysis provided evidence of simultaneous oxidation and reduction of trivalent arsenic in the FeBC column experiment, accompanied by corrosive Fe oxidation. However, the addition of phosphate enhanced As stabilization, attributed to the As-incorporated Fe-Ca-phosphates precipitates. The involvement of phosphate decelerated the Fe corrosion and the formation of secondary minerals in the column, mediating the risk of passivation and clogging. The As retained by Fe-Ca-phosphate precipitates was more readily oxidized, resulting in higher proportions of pentavalent arsenic. The results of this work identify the corrosion control and sustained-release roles of phosphate in FeBC application, informing the perspective of FeBC in As-contaminated groundwater remediation and providing new insights into the interactions between phosphate and As.

Co-occurrence of arsenic and sewage pollutants in surface and groundwater and its implications for water treatment using membrane technology

Arsenic (As) enrichment in groundwater stems from natural and hydrogeochemical factors, leading to geological contamination. Groundwater and surface water are interconnected, allowing As migration and surface water contamination. The As contamination poses health risks through contaminated water consumption. Sewage discharge in rich-As water bodies alters environmental conditions, increasing the concentration of organic matter, carbonate and bicarbonate, nitrite, sulfate, and phosphate in water. These changes could enhance As solubilization and release to water. This review investigates the interactions between these contaminants, and their implications for membrane-based water treatment processes. Organic pollutants in surface water promote microbial growth, depleting oxygen and altering redox conditions, which enhances As solubilization and concentration in the water. The interaction between organic pollutants and As primarily occurs through adsorption and complexation, influenced by the pollutants' functional groups and the water's pH. Bicarbonates and pH play critical roles in determining As speciation (As(V) or As(III)), while oxidants like nitrate increase As mobility by promoting its oxidation. When arsenic is primarily present as As(V), membrane-based removal processes tend to be more efficient. Sulfur also affects As dynamics through microbial processes and adsorption onto sulfide minerals. When nitrate and sulfate are present, Donnan exclusion becomes a critical mechanism that affects arsenic removal by NF and RO membranes. Although membrane technologies maintain high As rejection rates (97-99 %), even in the presence of sewage pollutants, this advantage is offset by the challenges of fouling and the generation of highly concentrated waste streams. So, it is urgent to avoid raw or not adequately treated sewage in As-rich environments.

Factors and Mechanisms Affecting Arsenic Migration in Cultivated Soils Irrigated with Contained Arsenic Brackish Groundwater

Contained arsenic (As) and unsafe brackish groundwater irrigation can lead to serious As pollution and increase the ecological risk in cultivated soils. However, little is known about how Fe oxides and microbes affect As migration during soil irrigation processes involving arsenic-contaminated brackish groundwater. In this study, the samples (porewater and soil) were collected through the dynamic soil column experiments to explore the As migration process and its effect factors during soil irrigation. The results showed that the As concentration in porewater samples from the topsoil was enriched compared to that in the subsoil, and the main solid As fractions were strongly adsorbed or bound to amorphous and crystalline Fe oxides. The aqueous As concentration and the solid As fractions indicated that reductive dissolution and desorption from amorphous Fe oxides were the primary mechanisms of As release at the topsoil and subsoil, respectively. Meanwhile, Sphingomonas_sp., Microvirga_ossetica and Acidobacteriota_bacterium were the dominant microbes affecting As biotransformation by arsenate reductase gene (arsC) expression. Accompanied by the Eh and competitive ions concentration change, amorphous Fe oxide dissolution increased to facilitate the As release, and the changes in the microbial community structure related to As reduction may have enhanced As mobilization in soils irrigated by As-containing brackish groundwater.

Groundwater irrigation induced variations in DOM fluorescence and arsenic mobility

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays a predominant role in groundwater arsenic (As) mobility. However, the temporal-spatial variations in DOM fluorescent characteristics and their effects on As mobility induced by groundwater irrigation remain unclear. To address these issues, groundwater from multilevel and irrigation wells in Zones I and II (with low- and high-As groundwater irrigation, respectively) from the Hetao Basin, China, were monitored in both non-irrigation (NIG) and irrigation (IG) seasons. Upon irrigation, the irrigation return increased the relative abundance of protein- and humic-like DOM in shallow groundwater from Zone I with Ca-type groundwater and Zone II with Na-type groundwater irrigation, respectively. The introduced dissolved oxygen by irrigation return decreased As concentrations by 22 % and 6 % on average in shallow groundwater from Zones I and II, respectively. However, the pumping-induced lateral recharge of lower- and higher-As groundwater led to an average 17 % decrease and 38 % increase in As concentrations in deeper groundwater from the two zones, respectively. The increased degradation of protein-like DOM may also contribute to the elevated As concentrations in deep groundwater from Zone II. The study provides insights into the dependence of irrigation-induced variations in DOM fluorescence and As concentrations on geochemicals of irrigation groundwater and aquifer hydrogeological conditions.

Geogenic Phosphorus Enrichment in Groundwater due to Anaerobic Methane Oxidation-Coupled Fe(III) Oxide Reduction

Accumulation of geogenic phosphorus (P) in groundwater is an emerging environmental concern, which is closely linked to coupled processes involving FeOOH and organic matter under methanogenic conditions. However, it remains unclear how P enrichment is associated with methane cycling, particularly the anaerobic methane oxidation (AMO). This study conducted a comprehensive investigation of carbon isotopes in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), CO2, and CH4, alongside Fe isotopes, microbial communities, and functions in quaternary aquifers of the central Yangtze River plain. The study found that P concentrations tended to increase with Fe(II) concentrations, δ56Fe, and δ13C-DIC, suggesting P accumulation due to the reductive dissolution of FeOOH under methanogenic conditions. The positive correlations of pmoA gene abundance versus δ13C-CH4 and Fe concentrations versus δ13C-CH4, and the prevalent presence of Candidatus_Methanoperedens, jointly demonstrated the potential significance of Fe(III)-mediated AMO process (Fe-AMO) alongside traditional methanogenesis. The increase of P concentration with δ13C-CH4 value, pmoA gene abundance, and Fe concentration suggested that the Fe-AMO process facilitated P enrichment in groundwater. Redundancy analysis confirmed this assertion, identifying P concentration as the primary determinant and the cooperative influence of Fe-AMO microorganisms such as Candidatus_Methanoperedens and Geobacter on P enrichment. Our work provided new insights into P dynamics in subsurface environments.

Coupled Processes Involving Organic Matter and Fe Oxyhydroxides Control Geogenic Phosphorus Enrichment in Groundwater Systems: New Evidence from FT-ICR-MS and XANES

The enrichment of geogenic phosphorus (P) in groundwater systems threatens environmental and public health worldwide. Two significant factors affecting geogenic P enrichment include organic matter (OM) and Fe (oxyhydr)oxide (FeOOH). However, due to variable reactivities of OM and FeOOH, variable strategies of their coupled influence controlling P enrichment in groundwater systems remain elusive. This research reveals that when the depositional environment is enriched in more labile aliphatic OM, its fermentation is coupled with the reductive dissolution of both amorphous and crystalline FeOOHs. When the depositional environment is enriched in more recalcitrant aromatic OM, it largely relies on crystalline FeOOH acting concurrently as electron acceptors while serving as "conduits" to help itself stimulate degradation and methanogenesis. The main source of geogenic P enriched by these two different coupled processes is different: the former is P-containing OM, which mainly contained unsaturated aliphatic compounds and highly unsaturated-low O compounds, and the latter is P associated with crystalline FeOOH. In addition, geological setting affects the deposition rate of sediments, which can alter OM degradation/preservation, and subsequently affects geochemical conditions of geogenic P occurrence. These findings provide new evidence and perspectives for understanding the hydro(bio)geochemical processes controlling geogenic P enrichment in alluvial-lacustrine aquifer systems.

Coupled effects of sedimentary iron oxides and organic matter on geogenic phosphorus mobilization in alluvial-lacustrine aquifers

The organic matter (OM) biodegradation and reductive dissolution of iron oxides have been acknowledged as key factors in the release of geogenic phosphorus (P) to groundwater. However, the coupled effects of natural OM with iron oxides on the mobilization of geogenic P remain unclear. Groundwater with high and low P concentrations has been observed in two boreholes in the alluvial-lacustrine aquifer system of the Central Yangtze River Basin. Sediment samples from these boreholes were examined for their P and Fe species as well as their OM properties. The results show that sediments from borehole S1 with high P levels contain more bioavailable P, particularly iron oxide bound P (Fe-P) and organic P (OP) than those from borehole S2 with low P levels. Regarding borehole S2, Fe-P and OP show positive correlations with total organic carbon as well as amorphous iron oxides (Fe_OX1), which indicate the presence of Fe-OM-P ternary complexes, further evidenced by FTIR results. In a reducing environment, the protein-like component (C3) and terrestrial humic-like component (C2) will biodegrade. In the process of C3 biodegradation, Fe_OX1 will act as electron acceptors and then undergo reductive dissolution. In the process of C2 biodegradation, Fe_OX1 and crystalline iron oxides (Fe_OX2) will act as electron acceptors. Fe_OX2 will also act as conduits in the microbial utilization pathway. However, the formation of stable P-Fe-OM ternary complexes will inhibit the reductive dissolution of iron oxides and OM biodegradation, thus inhibiting the mobilization of P. This study provides new insights into the enrichment and mobilization of P in alluvial-lacustrine aquifer systems.

Effect of organic substrate and Fe oxides transformation on the mobility of arsenic by biotic reductive dissolution under repetitive redox conditions

The mobility of arsenic (As) in soil is highly affected by the change in the form of iron oxides present in the soil, which has a strong correlation with the change in redox potential. In this study, the altered mobility of As under repetitive redox conditions and the effect of organic substrates (i.e., glucose) on such change during four anoxic-oxic cycles were studied. During the 1st anoxic period, 37.1% of soil As was released into the soil solution, but the As in the soil solution decreased to 25.2% after the 1st oxic period. Moreover, the As in the soil solution further decreased during the 2nd to 4th oxic periods, indicating further re-adsorption of aqueous As. The analysis of As speciation revealed that inorganic arsenate (As(V)) increased under the redox-oscillating conditions, probably due to the depletion of electron donors. When glucose was re-spiked at the beginning of the 4th cycle, aqueous As increased to 47.3% again in the anoxic period and decreased to 27.6% in the subsequent oxic period, indicating inhibition of As re-adsorption. During the same period, the amount of highly sorptive As(V) in the solution decreased sharply to less than 3.3%. The X-ray absorption near edge structure analysis with linear combination fitting confirmed that the transformation of Fe oxides to poorly crystalline structures such as ferrihydrite occurred during repetitive cycles. These results imply that the mobility of As can be increased in As-contaminated redox transition zones by the introduction of rainfall with labile organics or by the fluctuation of organic-rich groundwater.

Occurrence and behavior of arsenic in groundwater-aquifer system of irrigated areas

Groundwater arsenic pollution has received much attention worldwide for decades as a serious threat to public health, but the mechanisms responsible for arsenic mobilization are not fully understood. Groundwater and bore drilling sediment samples from Qiji county, a small geographical agricultural area with endemic arsenicosis, are collected for demonstrating the occurrence and speciation of arsenic in groundwater and sediments, and arsenic release between solid-liquid phase influenced by human activities. Results show that arsenic concentrations in groundwater vary from 5 μg/L to 19.6 μg/L, with 80% exceeding the maximum permissible limits required by WHO (10 μg/L) for drinking water and therefore constituting a health risk for humans. In a weak oxidizing environment (oxidation-reduction potential (ORP): 12.9 mV-151 mV), inorganic As(V) accounts for 85% of total dissolved As, which to some extent alleviates the harm of As pollution on humans. Total As content in the sediments is in the range of 6.98 mg/kg and 14.34 mg/kg (median of 10.71 mg/kg), three times higher than the average value of many countries. Sequential chemical leaching indicates that 11% of arsenic in sediments is labile bound and may be closely related to the arsenic in groundwater. Additionally, irrigation intensity contributes to arsenic release with diverse As³⁺/As⁵⁺ by dissolving weakly bound arsenic rapidly. Subsequently part of As(III) is oxidized to As(V). Competitive and/or alkaline desorption of As(V), which had been adsorbed by FeMn (hydrous)-oxides and carbonates in the unsaturated zone and the aquifer, exerts a significant role in releasing arsenic into the groundwater. Our study indicates that systematic management and regulation of irrigation intensity are required to prevent further deterioration of groundwater resources.

Reclaimed Water Reuse for Groundwater Recharge: A Review of Hot Spots and Hot Moments in the Hyporheic Zone

As an alternative resource, reclaimed water is rich in the various nutrients and organic matter that may irreparably endanger groundwater quality through the recharging process. During groundwater recharge with reclaimed water, hot spots and hot moments (HSHMs) in the hyporheic zones, located at the groundwater–reclaimed water interface, play vital roles in cycling and processing energy, carbon, and nutrients, drawing increasing concern in the fields of biogeochemistry, environmental chemistry, and pollution treatment and prevention engineering. This paper aims to review these recent advances and the current state of knowledge of HSHMs in the hyporheic zone with regard to groundwater recharge using reclaimed water, including the generation mechanisms, temporal and spatial characteristics, influencing factors, and identification indicators and methods of HSHMs in the materials cycle. Finally, the development prospects of HSHMs are discussed. It is hoped that this review will lead to a clearer understanding of the processes controlling water flow and pollutant flux, and that further management and control of HSHMs can be achieved, resulting in the development of a more accurate and safer approach to groundwater recharge with reclaimed water.

Noble gas constraints on the fate of arsenic in groundwater

Groundwater contamination of geogenic arsenic (As) remains a global health threat, particularly in south-east Asia. The prominent correlation often observed between high As concentrations and methane (CH4) stimulated the analysis of the gas dynamics in an As contaminated aquifer, whereby noble and reactive gases were analysed. Results show a progressive depletion of atmospheric gases (Ar, Kr and N2) alongside highly increasing CH4, implying that a free gas phase comprised mainly of CH4 is formed within the aquifer. In contrast, Helium (He) concentrations are high within the CH4 (gas) producing zone, suggesting longer (groundwater) residence times. We hypothesized that the observed free (CH4) gas phase severely detracts local groundwater (flow) and significantly reduces water renewal within the gas producing zone. Results are in-line with this hypothesis, however, a second hypothesis has been developed, which focuses on the potential transport of He from an adjacent aquitard into the (CH4) gas producing zone. This second hypothesis was formulated as it resolves the particularly high He concentrations observed, and since external solute input from the overlying heterogeneous aquitard cannot be excluded. The proposed feedback between the gas phase and hydraulics provides a plausible explanation of the anti-intuitive correlation between high As and CH4, and the spatially highly patchy distribution of dissolved As concentrations in contaminated aquifers. Furthermore, the increased groundwater residence time would allow for the dissolution of more crystalline As-hosting iron(Fe)-oxide phases in conjunction with the formation of more stable secondary Fe minerals in the hydraulically-slowed (i.e., gas producing) zone; a subject which calls for further investigation.

Increases in groundwater arsenic concentrations and risk under decadal groundwater withdrawal in the lower reaches of the Yellow River basin, Henan Province, China

The spatiotemporal variability in groundwater arsenic concentrations following extensive groundwater extractions over decades was rarely studied on a large scale. To fill this gap, variations in groundwater arsenic concentrations in the North Henan Plain in China from 2010 to 2020 were investigated. The possibility of high-arsenic groundwater (>10 μg/L) was higher than 40% in aquifers within a distance of 100 m from paleochannels. This may be due to the fact that deposits in paleochannels were rich in organic matter and suitable for arsenic enrichment. Following groundwater withdrawal over ten years from 2010 to 2020, nearly half of groundwater samples (44%) were elevated in groundwater arsenic concentrations, and the proportion of high arsenic groundwater increased from 24% in 2010 to 26% in 2020. These may be related to enhanced Fe(III) oxide reduction under decadal groundwater withdrawal. However, around 56% groundwater samples were decreases in arsenic concentrations because of increased NO₃^- levels in these samples in 2020. Furthermore, extensive groundwater withdrawal decreased groundwater tables averagely by 4.6 m from 2010 to 2020, which induced the intrusion of high-arsenic groundwater from shallow aquifers into deeper ones. More importantly, the long-term groundwater pumping has perturbed groundwater flow dynamics and redistributed high-arsenic groundwater in the plain, leading to 18% more areas and 33.8% more residents being potentially at risk. This study suggests that the threat of groundwater overexploitation may be much more severe than previously expected.

Spatial variation in dissolved phosphorus and interactions with arsenic in response to changing redox conditions in floodplain aquifers of the Hetao Basin, Inner Mongolia

Increasing numbers of studies have reported groundwater with naturally high phosphorous (P) and arsenic (As) concentrations, which can potentially threaten the environment and human health. However, the cycling of P and its interactions with As in groundwater under changing redox conditions remain largely unknown. In this study, 83 groundwater samples and 14 sediment samples were collected from the Hetao Basin, Inner Mongolia, for systematic hydrogeochemical investigation and complementary geochemical evaluation. The results showed that P cycling in floodplain aquifers was tightly constrained by redox conditions. Under oxic/suboxic conditions, mineralization of organic matter and weathering of P-bearing minerals were the two dominant processes that mobilized considerable amounts of P in groundwater. When redox conditions became reducing, Fe(III)-oxide reduction dominated, resulting in enrichment of both P and As in groundwater. In Fe(III)-reducing conditions, secondary Ca/Fe(II)-minerals might serve as an important sink for P. When redox conditions became SO42--reducing, preferential adsorption and incorporation of P over As on Fe(II)-sulfides might constrain the As immobilization pathway, resulting in immediate retardation of P and hysteretic immobilization of As. This P-immobilization pathway in natural aquifers has not been described before. This study provides novel insights into P cycling and As enrichment in groundwater systems. Understanding the roles of Fe(II)- and S(-II)-minerals in the immobilization of and interaction between P and As in response to SO42- reduction may help to inspire effective in-situ remediation of contaminated groundwater, in which P and As coexist and remain mobile for decades or longer.