Electron transfer during selenium reduction by iron surfaces in aqueous solution: High resolution X-ray absorption study

Abstract

We present a study of selenate (SeO42-) on an iron surface in ground water solution by X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy. Spectral sharpening is obtained by using the high energy resolution fluorescence detection technique that also efficiently suppresses the strong fluorescence signal from the Fe surface in the highly dilute samples (Se concentration < 3 ppm). We observe fully reduced Se on polished Fe surfaces while no changes are found for Se on oxidized Fe surface. © 2009 IOP Publishing Ltd.