Effects of dissolved organic matter on adsorbed Fe(II) reactivity for the reduction of 2-nitrophenol in TiO2 suspensions.

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is widespread in aquatic and terrestrial environments. Iron is the most abundant transition metal in the Earth's crust. The biogeochemistry of iron and the strength of Fe(II) as a reducing agent while adsorbed on minerals are affected by DOM. This study investigated the effects of Fe(II)/DOM interactions on the reduction of 2-nitrophenol (2-NP) in TiO2 suspensions. Kinetic measurements demonstrated that rates (k) of 2-NP reduction by adsorbed Fe(II) species are affected by adding DOM (denoted O-DOM), and the obtained k values under the impact of the Fe(II)/DOM interaction with different molecular weight DOM fractions [including MW<3500Da (L-DOM), 3500<MW<14000Da (M-DOM), and MW>14000Da (H-DOM)] showed significant differences. The enhanced rates of 2-NP reduction contributed to increases in the amount of adsorbed Fe(II) species and negative shifts in peak oxidation potential values (EP) in CV tests. For different molecular weight DOM fractions, increases in k (O-DOM<L-DOM<M-DOM<H-DOM) are consistent with increases in molar electron transfer capacities (ETC) based on k values at a fixed DOM concentration (O-DOM<L-DOM<M-DOM<H-DOM). This study attributed the impact of DOM on the enhanced reductive reactivity of Fe(II) to the higher level of adsorbed Fe(II) and the lower EP values. In addition, the ETC values were slightly higher in the TiO2 suspension containing the H-DOM fraction as compared the other two DOM fractions, which would further enhance the reduction rate of 2-NP. These findings promote a general understanding of Fe(II)/DOM interactions and their impact on the fate of contaminants in actual subsurface environments.