Iron isotope fractionation during microbial reduction of iron: The importance of adsorption
- 1Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
- 2Department of Earth and Environmental Science and Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, USA
- 3 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
- 4Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
Abstract
In experiments investigating the causes of Fe isotope fractionation, the δ56/54Fe value of Fe(II) remaining in solution (Fe(II)(aq)) after reduction of Fe(III) (goethite) by Shewanella putrefaciens is ∼−1.2‰ relative to the goethite, in agreement with previous research. The addition of an electron shuttle did not affect fractionation, suggesting that Fe isotope fractionation may not be related to the kinetics of the electron transfer. Furthermore, in abiotic, anaerobic FeCl2(aq) experiments in which approximately one-third of Fe(II)(aq) is lost from solution due to adsorption of Fe(II) onto goethite, the δ56/54Fe value of Fe(II)(aq) remaining in solution is shifted by −0.8‰ relative to FeCl2. This finding demonstrates that anaerobic nonbiological interaction between Fe(II) and goethite can generate significant Fe isotope fractionation. Acid extraction of sorbed Fe(II) from goethite in experiments reveals that heavy Fe preferentially sorbs to goethite. Simple mass-balance modeling indicates that the isotopic composition of the sorbed Fe(II) pool is ∼+1.5‰ to +2.5‰ heavier than Fe in the goethite [∼2.7‰–3.7‰ heavier than aqueous Fe(II)]. Mass balance is also consistent with a pool of heavy Fe that is not released to solution during acid extraction.
Footnotes
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↵*Corresponding author. Present address: M.S. J-514, Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA; gicopinilanl.gov
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- Accepted November 18, 2003.
- Received September 5, 2003.
- Revision received November 13, 2003.
- Geological Society of America
