The Role of Geoelectrical Methods in Monitoring Stimulated Sulfate-Reduction: Insights Gained From Field-Scale Experiments
Abstract
Understanding how microorganisms influence the physical and chemical properties of the subsurface is hindered by our inability to observe microbial dynamics in real time and with high spatial resolution. Here we investigate the use of time-lapse geoelectrical methods to monitor stimulated sulfate-reduction at the field scale during in-situ acetate amendment at the Rifle, Colorado uranium mill tailings site. Modification of the pore fluid and sediment composition as a result of bisulfide production and mineral precipitation was concomitant with changes in induced polarization (IP) and self-potential (SP) signals. With data collected from both the surface and between boreholes, temporal variations in the IP response were characterized by the development of pronounced phase anomalies related to the precipitation of disordered mackinawite (FeS). Sediment samples recovered from the aquifer showed a close correlation between the location of the IP phase anomalies and the enrichment of acid volatile sulfides. Variations in borehole SP signals closely tracked the onset of sulfate-reduction and primarily resulted from an increase in the concentration of bisulfide adjacent to the measurement electrodes. The magnitude of the SP response was dominated by the galvanic interaction of metallic copper and bisulfide, and it closely approximated the electrochemical cell potential of the anodic and cathodic reactions occurring at the electrode surfaces. Both geolectrical techniques delineated spatially discrete anomalies that appear to reflect the interaction of biostimulation with lithological variability within the aquifer.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2006
- Bibcode:
- 2006AGUFMNS21A..06W
- Keywords:
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- 0416 Biogeophysics;
- 0448 Geomicrobiology;
- 0925 Magnetic and electrical methods (5109)