古海洋活性磷埋藏记录及其在氧气地球化学循环研究中的运用

在综合现代大洋活性磷循环特征的基础上,提出大洋中活性磷主要来源于有CO2 参与的地表岩石的化学风化,输入通量在很大程度上受到气候与构造等因素的控制;进入大洋之后的活性磷经光合作用而进入有机物,并通过一系列的转化环节而最终埋藏下来;从而可以根据古海洋活性磷埋藏记录,推断地质历史中不同时间尺度的全球变化情况。对比160 Ma以来的古海洋总磷和100 Ma活性磷埋藏记录可以发现:(1)总磷和活性磷的埋藏速率与长期的海平面变化明显关联,在温室气候条件下,两者基本呈正相关关系;在冰室气候条件下则为反相关关系;(2)总磷和活性磷埋藏速率的变化,能够在一定程度上指示古海洋营养条件的变化;(3)白垩纪中期大洋缺氧事件对应活性磷的埋藏峰值,表明大洋活性磷循环与大洋缺氧事件之间存在着非常密切的关系。此外还例举了古海洋活性磷埋藏记录在氧气地球化学循环研究中的运用,指出活性磷循环对大气氧含量的稳定起到重要的作用。文章最后对古海洋活性磷埋藏记录研究中存在的一些问题进行了讨论。     

渤海湾盆地东濮凹陷古近系古湖盆氧化还原条件及其优质烃源岩的发育模式

通过分析东濮凹陷古近系沙河街组烃源岩样品的主微量元素含量,研究了东濮凹陷沙河街组优质烃源岩形成时的古氧化还原条件、古生产力水平及古水体的局限性,探讨了沙河街组沙三段优质烃源岩的发育模式。研究结果表明,东濮凹陷的北部沙三段优质烃源岩发育属于“深水窄盆水体分层沉积”模式。水体主要是咸水—超咸水,水体局限性较强,深度较深形成了稳定的盐度分层,从而造成底层水处于稳定的缺氧条件,有利于有机质的保存。根据主微量元素分析及古生产力的还原,沙三段沉积时水体表层富氧,发育大量有机质,生物死亡后有机质发生絮凝,在氧化还原界面吸附于铁锰氧化物的表面,沉降到底部,底部水体缺氧到还原的性质,适合保存有机质。东濮凹陷南部沙三段优质烃源岩发育属于“浅水广盆凹盆缺氧沉积”模式。湖泊水体为淡水,湖水局限性很弱,属于开阔水域,由于地表河流及洪水带来大量营养物质,表层水体古生产力较高,缺乏缺氧的保存条件,有机质生化阶段消耗较多,但是局部也可以发育弱还原水体,进而形成优 质烃源岩。     

渤海湾盆地东濮凹陷古近系古湖盆氧化还原条件及其优质烃源岩的发育模式

通过分析东濮凹陷古近系沙河街组烃源岩样品的主微量元素含量，研究了东濮凹陷沙河街组优质烃源岩形成时的古氧化还原条件、古生产力水平及古水体的局限性，探讨了沙河街组沙三段优质烃源岩的发育模式。研究结果表明，东濮凹陷的北部沙三段优质烃源岩发育属于“深水窄盆水体分层沉积”模式。水体主要是咸水—超咸水，水体局限性较强，深度较深形成了稳定的盐度分层，从而造成底层水处于稳定的缺氧条件，有利于有机质的保存。根据主微量元素分析及古生产力的还原，沙三段沉积时水体表层富氧，发育大量有机质，生物死亡后有机质发生絮凝，在氧化还原界面吸附于铁锰氧化物的表面，沉降到底部，底部水体缺氧到还原的性质，适合保存有机质。东濮凹陷南部沙三段优质烃源岩发育属于“浅水广盆凹盆缺氧沉积”模式。湖泊水体为淡水，湖水局限性很弱，属于开阔水域，由于地表河流及洪水带来大量营养物质，表层水体古生产力较高，缺乏缺氧的保存条件，有机质生化阶段消耗较多，但是局部也可以发育弱还原水体，进而形成优 质烃源岩。     

白垩纪大洋缺氧事件:研究进展与未来展望

白垩纪古海洋中分别在.Aptian-Albian、Cenomanian-Turonian和Coniacian-Santonian期间发生多次大洋缺氧事件(Oceanic Anoxic Events,OAEs),分别被称为OAE1、OAE2和OAE3,而OAE1又可以划分为OAE1a,1b,1c和1d四次,其中OAE1a和OAE2达到全球规模.白垩纪大洋缺氧事件一般对应海相碳酸盐岩的碳同位素正偏、海洋生物的快速更替和富有机质黑色页岩的大规模分布,指示了大范围的古环境、古气候变化.虽然历次大洋缺氧事件在成因上具有一定的差异,但是一般认为其与白垩纪时期海底大规模火成岩省的活动有关.大规模火成岩省活动将带来大气-海洋系统中CO2的上升,地表风化和水循环的加速,从而造成海洋中营养元素的过剩输入,引发海洋生产力的升高,诱发海洋中缺氧条件的发生.大洋缺氧条件下,由于碳-氧-硫-磷等元素之间的耦合循环关系,在大洋缺氧和海洋生产力之间形成快速的正反馈关系,有可能是白垩纪大洋缺氧事件得以达到全球规模的促进因素(如OAE1a和OAE2).不同时期的大洋缺氧事件对白垩纪大气-海洋系统的发展具有不同的意义:OAE1a标志着白垩纪中期极端温室气候的开始,OAE2前后是温室气候的高潮时期,而OAE3的发生则伴随白垩纪温室气候的减弱.由于历次大洋缺氧事件产生的大规模有机碳的埋藏,对大气-海洋系统产生了深刻的影响,其主要作用是导致大气海洋系统中CO2下降、O2上升,以及伴随而来的全球变冷和海洋氧化能力的增强.虽已历经30多年的研究,白垩纪大洋缺氧事件的前因和后果还未完全阐明,后续研究中将继续对重点的缺氧事件如OAE1(a,b,c,d)、OAE2和OAE3,开展多学科的研究,获取缺氧事件发生期间的古大气CO2浓度、海水温度、营养状况、生物种类及其海平面变化等方面的信息.大洋缺氧事件的陆相响应方面的研究也已经陆续开展,我国科学家可望在这方面有所作为.     

早期成岩过程中铁元素地球化学循环研究进展

铁是海洋沉积物中重要的氧化还原敏感性元素之一,是早期成岩过程中地球化学循环变化的重要动力因素。早期成岩过程中,表层沉积物中铁氧化物的赋存形态主要可分无定形(弱晶型)铁氧化物和晶型铁氧化物,且前者的含量主要决定着沉积物中铁氧化物的还原活性;铁氧化物可以通过与硫酸盐还原产生的硫化物反应进行还原,还能在铁还原菌的参与下被表层沉积物中的有机质还原,沉积物中活性铁含量、有机质含量、沉积速率、植物根系导氧作用及底栖生物的扰动均能对铁还原率造成影响。早期成岩过程中可以形成黄铁矿,形成机理主要有:1)沉积物中先前形成的硫复铁矿(Fe_3S_4)等前体物质通过加硫反应形成;2)硫过饱和的球粒胶体通过脱水、成核、结晶以及聚合作用而成单个草莓状黄铁矿或初始自行黄铁矿微晶成核、生长、聚集、固化的小型黄铁矿微球团并入更大的胶体状黄铁矿结核、草莓状黄铁矿分组,从而形成黄铁矿集合体;黄铁矿化度(DOP)可作为区分古海洋氧化还原环境的指标。对铁同位素的研究表明,异化还原作用(DIR)过程中产生的铁同位素值偏低;页岩中黄铁矿的铁同位素在2.3Ga附近发生的突变反映了第一次大气氧气增高事件。磁学参数对铁相变化具有良好的反应,环境磁学在早期成岩过程研究中的应用,有助于快速划分铁还原带、研究环境中重金属循环行为。     

海洋环境中的厌氧铵氧化研究进展

海洋环境中的厌氧铵氧化过程作为实现固定态氮从海洋生态系统中移除的一个新途径,广泛地存在于各种海洋环境中,包括永久性缺氧水体、沉积物、海冰甚至海底热液,是海洋氮循环过程中一个非常重要的环节。开展海洋环境中厌氧铵氧化过程的研究可以更好地量化海洋氮循环过程中的收支,而这一收支在很大程度上影响着全球的气候变化。介绍了海洋环境中厌氧铵氧化过程研究历史,并分别讨论了在大洋缺氧水体和沉积物中厌氧铵氧化速率的分布情况,同时还总结了海洋环境因子如温度、氧气、硫化氢、NO3-/NO2-、NH4+以及有机物等对厌氧铵氧化的影响。最后探讨了该领域研究中所存在的问题并指出了亟待开展的工作:特定大洋缺氧水体中厌氧铵氧化与反硝化的争议以及近岸缺氧水体中厌氧铵氧化的研究;陆架及深海大洋沉积物中厌氧铵氧化的深入研究;对于全球海洋氮循环收支的重新评估。     

海洋沉积物甲烷厌氧氧化作用(AOM)及其对无机硫循环的影响

甲烷厌氧氧化作用(AOM)在调控全球甲烷收支平衡以及缓解因甲烷引起的温室效应等方面扮演着十分重要的角色,成为近些年来海洋生物地球化学领域的研究热点之一.一般而言,海洋沉积物孔隙水硫酸盐还原主要是通过2种反应途径来完成,即氧化有机质途径和AOM途径.长期以来,与有机质氧化途径相关的硫酸盐还原作用研究已有充分展示,而由AOM驱动的硫酸盐还原及其对自生硫化铁形成与埋藏的重要贡献却被严重低估.侧重从生物地球化学、同位素地球化学等角度,综述近些年来不同环境条件下海洋沉积物AOM作用发生的地球化学证据和AOM对沉积物孔隙水硫酸盐消耗比例的贡献大小及其调控因素.AOM过程产生的H2S会与沉积物中活性铁结合形成自生铁硫化物.与沉积物浅表层条件相比,AOM过程固定的自生铁硫化物不容易发生再氧化,更利于在沉积物中埋藏保存起来.AOM与海洋沉积物硫酸盐还原作用相偶联,由AOM驱动的硫酸盐还原过程对海底自生铁硫化物形成与埋藏的重要贡献不容忽视.该综述有助加深对海洋沉积物AOM作用的认识及其对硫循环的全面理解.     

海洋沉积物的锌同位素地球化学及其应用

锌同位素体系是海洋地球化学研究的新示踪剂,应用于示踪海水中锌元素的来源及其运移过程.海洋沉积物作为锌元素重要的"源"与/或"汇",其锌同位素组成的研究有助于理解海洋锌元素的地球化学循环.海洋沉积物记录了海水组成的信息,可以反演古海水锌同位素组成的变化,前提是理解沉积物与海水之间的分馏.对海水及海洋不同储库锌同位素研究进行系统总结,包括河流输入、热液体系、不同类型海洋沉积物(如富碳酸盐的沉积物、陆源硅酸盐碎屑、硅质沉积物、铁锰结核、贫氧-缺氧沉积物)的锌同位素组成,阐述了海洋沉积物锌同位素组成变化在古气候、古环境重建以及古海洋学等领域的应用以及重要性.      

地球圈层之间相互作用对白垩纪大洋缺氧与富氧过程的制约

白垩纪诸多地质事件中,以黑色页岩为特征的大洋缺氧事件和以红层为特征的大洋富氧环境尤其引人关注。本文探讨了白垩纪大洋从缺氧到富氧转化的过程与机制,认为上述沉积事件是地球圈层之间相互作用的结果。白垩纪岩石圈剧烈的岩浆活动,是缺氧、富氧事件发生的源动力,水圈、大气圈、生物圈的共同作用是沉积事件发生的结果。具体过程为:白垩纪大规模的火山喷发,改变了海陆面积的对比,并引起地球内部大量热能释放和大气中CO_2气体浓度的升高,最终导致大气温度的升高。海水温度的升高和CO_2浓度的增加导致海洋环境中溶解O_2的降低,缺氧事件随之而产生。同时,海底岩浆喷发在海底产生大量的富含铁元素的基性和超基性岩石,通过海底风化和热液活动,铁元素从岩石圈进入水圈。海水中的铁元素是海洋浮游植物宝贵的营养盐类,其含量的增加可激发浮游植物的大规模繁盛,而这一生命过程可以吸收海水中大量的CO_2,并且产生等量的O_2。随着海水中O_2浓度的不断升高,以富含Fe3+的红色沉积物为特征的海洋富氧环境出现。藏南和深海钻探、大洋钻探典型剖面的数据证实大洋缺氧和富氧发生的韵律性,即缺氧事件之后往往伴随富氧环境的出现。研究认为,白垩纪大洋缺氧和富氧事件是同一原因导致的不同结果,地球圈层相互作用是其根本制约因素。由岩浆活动引起的缺氧事件和同样由其造成的富氧环境,其机制存在明显的差异,前者以物理、化学过程为主,后者除此之外还演绎了更为复杂的生物-海洋地球化学过程。     

氧化还原敏感微量元素对古海洋沉积环境的指示意义

海洋的氧化还原条件控制着U、V和Mo等氧化还原敏感微量元素在沉积物或沉积岩中的富集程度,所以可以利用沉积物或沉积岩中这些微量元素的含量来重建古海洋的氧化还原状态和沉积环境。海洋沉积物或沉积岩中U、V和Mo的来源少,除了海水提供外,还有陆源碎屑,不过陆源碎屑提供的那部分含量能够被估计。沉积物埋藏之后这些元素（几乎）不发生迁移,保存了沉积时的组成和含量,能较好地反映沉积环境的特征,是古海洋环境的理想指示。在氧化—次氧化的海水环境中U、V和Mo不会富集,缺氧的条件下U和V富集,而在硫化（含溶解的硫化氢）的沉积环境中U、V和Mo在沉积物中都会强烈地富集。利用这种差异,可以根据沉积物或沉积岩中各种微量元素的含量变化来判别沉积时海水的氧化还原状态。但是,必须注意沉积环境的开放与否、成岩作用及重新氧化作用等对微量元素含量的影响。在利用氧化还原敏感元素进行古环境重建时,应首先评估沉积物或沉积岩中特定元素的来源和贡献,剔除非自生部分的影响,然后利用多元素指标综合判别古环境的氧化还原条件,才能获得可靠的结论。     

Response of Reactive Phosphorus Burial to the Sedimentary Transition from Cretaceous Black Shales to Oceanic Red Beds in Southern Tibet

The mechanism of sedimentary transition from the Cretaceous black shales to the oceanic red beds is a new and important direction of Cretaceous research. Chemical sequential extraction is applied to study the burial records of reactive phosphorus in the black shale of the Gyabula Formation and oceanic red beds of the Chuangde Formation, Southern Tibet. Results indicate that the principal reactive phosphorus species is the authigenic and carbonate-associated phosphorus (CaP) in the Gyabula Formation and iron oxides-associated phosphorus (FeP) in the Chuangde Formation which accounts for more than half of their own total phosphorus content. While the authigenic and carbonate-associated phosphorus (CaP) is almost equal in the two Formations; the iron oxides-associated phosphorus is about 1.6 times higher in the Chuangde Formation than that in the Gyabula Formation resulting in a higher content of the total phosphorus in the Chuangde Formation. According to the observations on the marine phosphorus cycle in Modern Ocean, it is found that preferential burial and regeneration of reactive phosphorus corresponds to highly oxic and reducing conditions, respectively, leading to the different distribution of phosphorus in these two distinct type of marine sediments. It is the redox-sensitive behavior of phosphorus cycle to the different redox conditions in the ocean and the controlling effects of phosphorus to the marine production that stimulate the local sedimentary transition from the Cretaceous black shale to the oceanic red beds.     

The Differential Geochemical Behavior of Arsenic and Phosphorus in the Water Column and Sediments of the Saguenay Fjord Estuary, Canada

The distribution and partitioning of dissolved andparticulate arsenic and phosphorus in the water columnand sediments of the Saguenay Fjord in Quebec, Canada,are compared. In addition, selective and/or sequentialextractions were carried out on the suspendedparticulate matter (SPM) and solid sediments tocontrast their geochemical behaviors in this naturalaquatic system.Results of our analyses show that both arsenic andsoluble reactive phosphate are actively scavenged fromthe water column by settling particles. Upon theiraccumulation at the sediment-water interface some Asand P may be released to porewaters following thedegradation of organic matter to which they areassociated. The porewater concentrations are, however,limited by their strong affinity for authigenic,amorphous iron oxyhydroxides which accumulate in theoxic sediments near the sediment-water interface.The geochemical behavior of arsenic and phosphorusdiverge most strikingly upon the development of anoxicconditions in the sediments. Following their burial inthe anoxic zone, amorphous iron oxyhydroxides arereduced and dissolved, releasing phosphate and arsenicto the porewaters. We observed, however, thatporewater arsenic concentrations increase at shallowerdepths than phosphate in the sediments. The reductionof arsenate, As(V), to arsenite, As(III), and itsdesorption prior to the reductive dissolution of thecarrier phase(s) may explain this observation.Driven by the strong concentration gradientestablished in the suboxic zone, phosphate diffuses uptowards the oxic layer where it is readsorbed byauthigenic iron oxyhydroxides. In the organic-rich andrapidly accumulating sediments at the head of theFjord, porewater sulfate depletion and the resultingabsence of a sulfide sink for Fe(II), may lead to theformation of vivianite in the fermentation zone, apotential sink for phosphate. Arsenite released to theporewaters in the suboxic and anoxic zones of thesediments diffuses either down, where it is adsorbedto or incorporated with authigenic iron sulfides, orup towards the oxic boundary. Arsenite appears tomigrate well into the oxic zone where it may beoxidized by authigenic manganese oxides before beingadsorbed by iron oxyhydroxides present at the samedepth. Whereas, in the absence of authigenic carbonatefluorapatite precipitation, the ability of oxicsediments to retain mineralized phosphate is afunction of their amorphous iron oxyhydroxide content,arsenic retention may depend on the availability ofmanganese oxides, the thickness of the oxic layer and,its co-precipitation with iron sulfides at depth.     

长江口潮滩植物对沉积物铁的地球化学循环及磁性特征的影响

通过长江河口高潮滩芦苇带沉积物柱状样CYLWA 1活性铁、有机质、粒度分析及磁性测量,探讨潮滩植物对沉积物铁的地球化学循环及磁性特征变化的影响。结果显示,沉积物柱状样总体上以Fe2 + 占优势,且含量随深度逐渐增加。但在亚表层 (10～ 2 0cm),由于根系的释氧作用,存在着以Fe3 + 占优势的氧化层。在 10～ 2 0cm这一氧化层,指示细颗粒磁性矿物的参数 (χ_fd、χ_ARM)明显减小,而反映磁性矿物类型的参数 (B_CR、SIRM/ χ)显著增大,指示了亚铁磁性矿物颗粒变粗,不完整反铁磁性矿物明显富集,这一现象反映了氧化层不完整反铁磁性矿物的相对富集     

Origin of red beds in the Ringerike Group (Silurian) of Norway

The Ringerike Group is a meandering fluviatile succession which is about 60% red. Most of the red zones are formed of mudrocks and siltstones and correspond to the fine members of fining-upwards cyclothems. The majority of coarse members are drab coloured.Textural studies of thin and polished sections show that the red colour is caused by finely crystalline hematite as matrix and grain-coatings. This hematite apparently crystallized post-depositionally. Hematite also occurs in other textural sites: within altered phyllosilicates, as detrital grains and as totally pseudomorphed phyllosilicates. This, and the lack of consistency between colour and clay mineralogy, suggests that the red beds have had a long and complex diagenetic history.Iron analyses indicate that the red beds are enriched in Fe³⁺ and total iron (FeO) by about 1%. This is thought to have been derived from the pre-depositional weathering of iron minerals and introduced into the sediments as amorphous iron hydroxide or iron-bearing clays. Crystallization of iron hydroxide under oxidizing conditions and the post-depositional alteration of iron-silicates and oxides is thought to be responsible for the formation of the red beds.     

The Effect of Organic Carbon-Iron Oxide Association on the Preservation of Sedimentary Organic Carbon in Marine Environments

Understanding the mechanisms responsible for long-term storage of organic carbon (OC) in marine environment is important for studying the marine carbon cycling and predicting how the global carbon cycle will respond to climate change. It is estimated that more than 20% of the OC in marine sediments is associated with iron oxides and thus these complexes are one of the most important factors in the long-term storage of OC. The OC-iron oxide (OC-Fe) association can be formed through either adsorption or co-precipitation, but the dominant mechanism of OC-Fe association in marine environments is co-precipitation. The combination of OC from different sources with iron oxides is selective. Iron oxides preferentially combine with marine OC in most marine environments, but in estuarine delta regions they prefer terrestrial OC. Due to large inputs of terrestrial materials, high primary production and frequent re-suspension, estuarine and marginal seas are suitable sites for OC-Fe association studies, which should be emphasized in the future.     

Arsenic mobilization in shallow aquifers of Datong Basin: Hydrochemical and mineralogical evidences

To better understand the sources and mobilization processes responsible for arsenic enrichment in groundwater in the central part of Datong Basin where serious arsenic poisoning cases have been reported, hydrochemical characteristics of the groundwater and the geochemical and mineralogical features of the aquifer sediments were studied. The aqueous arsenic levels are strongly depth-dependent in the study area and the high arsenic concentrations are found at depths between 15 m and 60 m, with a maximum up to 1820 μg/L. The hydrochemical characteristics of high arsenic groundwater from the Datong Basin indicate that the mobilization of arsenic is related to reductive dissolution of Fe oxides/oxyhydroxides and/or desorption from the Fe oxides/oxyhydroxides at high pH (above 8.0). The bulk chemical results of sediments show the arsenic and iron are moderately correlated, suggesting that arsenic is associated with iron-bearing minerals. Results of sequential-extraction experiment show that solid-phase arsenic is similarly distributed among the different pools of reservoir in the aquifer sediments. Strongly adsorbed arsenic and co-precipitated arsenic are its dominant species in the solid-phase. Geochemical studies using chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy on magnetically separated fractions demonstrate that iron oxides/oxyhydroxides with residual magnetite and chlorite, illite, iron oxides/oxyhydroxides-coated quartz and feldspar, and ankerite are the dominant carriers of arsenic in the sediments. The major processes of arsenic mobilization are probably linked to desorption of As from Fe oxides/oxyhydroxides and reductive dissolution of Fe-rich phases in the aquifer sediments under reducing and alkaline conditions.     

铁元素对海相沉积物早期成岩作用的影响

铁元素是地壳中丰度最高的元素之一,在海相沉积物成岩过程中起着非常重要的作用.铁元素作为海洋初级生产力的微营养元素,影响海相沉积物中有机质的输入,其在早期成岩阶段与硫化物和磷元素的耦合关系,可以促进或者降低有机质的保存;铁元素在海相沉积物早期成岩过程中可以改变孔隙水的化学性质,影响亚稳定碳酸盐矿物的保存,导致碳酸盐沉积物...     

Primary Mineral Information and Depositional Models of Relevant Mineral Facies of the Early Precambrian BIF—A Preliminary Review

The primary mineral compositions of BIF are regarded as ferric oxyhydroxide or iron silicate nanoparticles (mainly greenalite and stilpnomelane ) whichcan transform into minerals like hematite, magnetite and siderite. On the basis of predominant iron minerals, three distinctive sedimentary facies are recognized in BIF: oxide facies, silicate facies and carbonate facies. Marked by the Great Oxidation Event (GOE, 2.4~2.2 Ga), sedimentary facies can be divided into two models: “anoxic and reducing” model and “stratified ocean” model. The ancient ocean was anoxic and reducing before GOE, and under this circumstance, BIF was distributed from the distal to proximal zones transforming from hematite facies through magnetite facies to carbonate facies, such as West Rand Group BIF (2.96~2.78 Ga) and Kuruman BIF (~2.46 Ga) in south Africa. However, the ancient ocean was a stratified ocean during and after GOE, which means that shallow seawater was oxidizing while deeper seawater was reducing, leading to an opposite sedimentary facies distribution compared to the former one: BIF was distributed from the distal to proximal zones transforming from carbonate facies through magnetite facies to hematite facies, such as Yuanjiacun BIF in China (~2.3 Ga) and Sokoman iron formation in Canada (~1.88 Ga). Overall, BIF is an unrepeatable formation in geological history, which can only form in specific sedimentary environment. The key point to speculate the paleo-ocean environment, namely the problems to be solved at the moment, is to identify and derive the primary mineral compositions, to make sure the genetic mechanism of sedimentary facies especially silicate facies, to restrict the sedimentary conditions and to study microbial activities contacting with BIF.     

Schwertmannite stability in acidified coastal environments

A combination of analytical and field measurements has been used to probe the speciation and cycling of iron in coastal lowland acid sulfate soils. Iron K-edge EXAFS spectroscopy demonstrated that schwertmannite dominated (43-77%) secondary iron mineralization throughout the oxidized and acidified soil profile, while pyrite and illite were the major iron-bearing minerals in the reduced potential acid sulfate soil layers. Analyses of contemporary precipitates from shallow acid sulfate soil groundwaters indicated that 2-line ferrihydrite, in addition to schwertmannite, is presently controlling secondary Fe(III) mineralization. Although aqueous pH values and concentrations of Fe(II) were seasonally high, no evidence was obtained for the Fe(II)-catalyzed crystallization of either mineral to goethite. The results of this study indicate that: (a) schwertmannite is likely to persist in coastal lowland acid sulfate soils on a much longer time-scale than predicted by laboratory experiments; (b) this mineral is less reactive in these types of soils due to surface-site coverage by components such as silicate and possibly, to a lesser extent, natural organic matter and phosphate and; (c) active water table management to promote oxic/anoxic cycles around the Fe(II)-Fe(III) redox couple, or reflooding of these soils, will be ineffective in promoting the Fe(II)-catalyzed transformation of either schwertmannite or 2-line ferrihydrite to crystalline iron oxyhydroxides.