Photooxidation of Fe(II) to schwertmannite promotes As(III) oxidation and immobilization on pyrite under acidic conditions.

Pollution of arsenic (As) in acid mine drainage (AMD) is a universal environmental problem. The weathering of pyrite (FeS) and other sulfide minerals leads to the generation of AMD and accelerates the leaching of As from sulfide minerals. Pyrite can undergo adsorption and redox reactions with As, affecting the existing form and biotoxicity of As.

Solar irradiation induced oxidation and adsorption of arsenite on natural pyrite.

The migration and bioavailability of toxic elemental arsenic (As) are influenced by the adsorption and redox processes of sulfide minerals in waters around mining areas. Pyrite is the most abundant sulfide mineral in the Earth's crust and exhibits certain photochemical activity. However, the adsorption and redox behaviors of arsenite (As(III)) on pyrite surface under solar irradiation remain unclear.