[Characterization of oxidation on pyrite by in situ attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy].

Pyrite is one of common natural minerals in the environment, which is easily oxidated and is the main source of acidity mine drainage (AMD). The study on the oxidation of pyrite is helpful to comprehend the mechanism of its pollution. In the present paper, the oxidation of pyrite under the condition of air and water was respectively investigated by the attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) through the designing experiment on the formation of carbon dioxide by the reaction of carbonate in pyrite with sulfuric acid formed by the oxidation of pyrite. The CO2 measurement by in situ ATR indicated that the oxidation rate of pyrite both in the air and in water both reduced by time and the latter reduced more obviously than the former, which indicates that the oxidation rate of pyrite in water is slower than that in the air. In the ATR measurement, the double absorption peaks at 2 350 cm(-1) that indicates CO2 have high selectivity, and permits the in situ analysis.