Electrorestoration of metal contaminated soils

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1994 · Environmental Science and Technology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00061a032· OSTI ID:6717555

Hicks, R E; Tondorf, S ^[1]

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1. Massachusetts Inst. of Technology, Cambridge, MA (United States)

The removal of metals from contaminated soils using electric fields has been successfully demonstrated in the laboratory, yet field trials have yielded anomalous results. Poor performance may be attributed to interaction of the metals with naturally occurring electrolytes, humic substances, and co-disposed wastes. Immobilization of contaminants in a narrow band in the soil, analogous to isoelectric focusing, was reproduced experimentally and simulated with a mathematical model. It was shown that the focusing effect can be eliminated by controlling the pH at the cathode using a water rinse. Immobilization resulting from precipitation with carbonates and codisposed wastes may additionally require chelating agents and control of the redox potential to effect removal. Pourbaix diagrams provide a means for rapidly identifying pH and redox conditions suitable for mobilizing metal wastes. Optimum operating conditions can then be determined using a mathematical model that incorporates the appropriate metal speciation chemistry. 32 refs., 10 figs., 1 tab.

• OSTI ID: 6717555
• Journal Information: Environmental Science and Technology; (United States), Vol. 28:12; ISSN 0013-936X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
SOILS
CONTAMINATION
DECONTAMINATION
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTROPHORESIS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OSMOSIS
PH VALUE
REDOX POTENTIAL
ZINC COMPOUNDS
CLEANING
DIFFUSION
400400* - Electrochemistry
540220 - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
990200 - Mathematics & Computers