Research Article published by Springer
Researchers on metallic iron (Fe0) for environmental
remediation and water treatment are walking in a
valley of confusion for 25 years. This valley is characterized
by the propagation of different beliefs that have
resulted from a partial analysis of the Fe0/H2O system as
(1) a reductive chemical reaction was considered an electrochemical
one and (2) the mass balance of iron has not
been really addressed. The partial analysis in turn has been
undermining the scientific method while discouraging any
real critical argumentation. This communication re-establishes
the complex nature of the Fe0/H2O system while
recalling that, finally, proper system analysis and chemical
thermodynamics are the most confident ways to solve any
conflicting situation in Fe0 environmental remediation.