Biogeochemical Behavior of Metals Along Two Permeable Reactive Barriers in a Mining‐Affected Wetland

Abstract

AbstractThe biogeochemistry of two alkaline permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) installed for remediation in a mining‐affected wetland was investigated in order to assess the importance of colloidal particles on metal removal processes in such systems. At the time of investigation, both PRBs were effective in removing U, Cu, and Zn (>95%) from groundwater but were slightly less efficient for Ni and Co (<90%). Previously installed groundwater wells allowed an in‐depth analysis of groundwater passing through the first PRB. Here, in an alkaline environment (pH 6.0–9.7), 11–14% of Ni, 36–37% of Co, 77–81% of Cu, 14–17% of U, and 10–19% of Fe were associated with organic matter and inorganic colloids, while upgradient in the more acidic environments (pH <6.0), ionic species and complexes (e.g., Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and UO2H3SiO4+) dominated. Copper and U preferentially bound to larger colloidal fractions (>1 kDa), which might have promoted their sequestration. Uranium removal was likely further enhanced by U (VI) reduction in the alkaline and oxygen‐depleted conditions of the PRBs. The less efficient removal of Ni and Co, being target metals for remediation, was explained by a combination of their high solubility, unfavorable redox and pH conditions created by the alkaline PRBs, and their limited association with colloidal particles. These considerations are critical in the design of future PRBs for the remediation of similar systems.