• Low‑crystallinity iron mineral ferrihydrite traps hexavalent chromium in contaminated soils. • Ferrihydrite outperforms crystalline goethite and hematite in reducing Cr(VI). • Its poorly ordered structure enables surface‑first adsorption of organic matter and chromium. • Multiple binding mechanisms-electrostatic, ligand exchange, lattice incorporation-secure chromium and carbon. • The process also sequesters carbon, offering dual remediation and carbon storage. • This low‑energy strategy could clean industrial sites like electroplating and mining tailings.
Article Summaries:
- Low-crystallinity iron mineral traps toxic chromium, stores carbon in soil A low-crystallinity iron mineral could help clean toxic chromium while storing carbon in soil. Scientists have identified a naturally occurring iron mineral that can trap toxic chromium in contaminated soils while also locking away carbon, offering a potential low-energy strategy for cleaning up industrial and mining sites. The study focuses on hexavalent chromium, or Cr(VI), a highly toxic and mobile pollutant commonly found at electroplating facilities, tanneries, and mine tailings. Because it dissolves easily in wate
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