Trace element source terms for mineral dissolution

Abstract

We present an approach for determining source terms for modeling trace element release from minerals, using arsenic (As) as an example. The source term function uses laboratory-measured mineral dissolution rates to predict the time rate of change of As concentrations (mol/Ls) released to water by the dissolving mineral. Application of this function to As-bearing minerals (realgar, orpiment, arsenopyrite, scorodite, pyrite, and jarosite) in air saturated water at 25°C shows that mineralogy, grain size and pH are important factors affecting the As source term while DO concentration and temperature are relatively unimportant for conditions found in typical aquifers. The derived function shows that the source term decreases as a function of (1−t/tL)2, where tL is the grain lifetime, due to the shrinkage of the mineral grains as they dissolve. For some models, either a constant or an instantaneous term might be used, provided that certain time constraints are met. The methods outlined in this paper are intended to help bridge the gap between laboratory measurements and field-based models. Although this paper uses As as an example, the methods are general and can be used to predict source terms for other mineral-derived trace elements to groundwater.