H2S In Aqueous Solutions Research Articles

The chemistry of pyrite formation in aqueous solution and its relation to the depositional environment

Experimental investigations on pyrite synthesis indicate that before pyrite can be produced by a reaction involving ferrous iron, the disulphide ion must be formed; in experiments described the ion was obtained by the action of H2S in aqueous solution on elemental sulphur. Conditions under which the experiments were conducted indicate that pyrite will not form above pH 6.0. The reaction to produce pyrite is fastest when oxygen is excluded and elemental sulphur is produced from the oxidation of H2S by ferric iron. A reaction between FeS and elemental sulphur will yield pyrite at a much slower rate, although the same basic reaction is involved. An attempt has been made to relate the occurrence of pyrite in different sedimentary environments to this basic chemistry.