Arsenic remediation by formation of arsenic sulfide minerals in a continuous anaerobic bioreactor

Arsenic (As) is a highly toxic metalloid that has been identified at high concentrations in groundwater in certain locations around the world. Concurrent microbial reduction of arsenate (As^V) and sulfate (SO₄^2-) can result in the formation of poorly soluble arsenic sulfide minerals (ASM). The objective of this research was to study As biomineralization in a minimal iron environment for the bioremediation of As-contaminated groundwater using simultaneous As^V and SO₄^2- reduction. A continuous-flow anaerobic bioreactor was maintained at slightly acidic pH (6.25-6.50) and fed with As^V and SO₄^2-, utilizing ethanol as an electron donor for over 250 d. A second bioreactor running under the same conditions but lacking SO₄^2- was operated as a control to study the fate of As (without S). The reactor fed with SO₄^2- removed an average 91.2% of the total soluble As at volumetric rates up to 2.9mg As/(L·h), while less than 5% removal was observed in the control bioreactor. Soluble S removal occurred with an S to As molar ratio of 1.2, suggesting the formation of a mixture of orpiment- (As₂S₃) and realgar-like (AsS) solid phases. Solid phase characterization using K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy confirmed the formation of a mixture of As₂S₃ and AsS. These results indicate that a bioremediation process relying on the addition of a simple, low-cost electron donor offers potential to promote the removal of As from groundwater with naturally occurring or added SO₄^2- by precipitation of ASM.