Redox chemistry of iron(II) minerals and their implications for contaminant fate in the environment

Iron (Fe) minerals are ubiquitous in sediments and soils and actively participate in important environmental processes such as microbial respiration, carbon cycling, geochemical weathering, nutrient cycling, and contaminant cleanup. Environmental contaminants, such as chlorinated solvents, heavy metals, and nitroaromatics, pose a threat to human and environmental health and have left little to no area on Earth unafflicted. To preserve and protect well-being of humans and the environment alike, I investigated the redox behavior of Fe minerals, which are naturally abundant and effective reducing agents and can play a critical role in contaminant reduction in the environment.