Abstract
Electrokinetic remediation of lead‐, zinc‐ and cadmium‐contaminated sand and clayey soils has been investigated under laboratory‐scale conditions. Soil extracts of heavy metals (by 1 M HCl solution) were analysed by optical emission spectrometry. The efficiency of electrochemical remediation was partially dependent on the pH of the soil media. With pH increase, the migration of heavy metal ions toward the cathode was limited. When acetic acid was added to the sandy soil, almost complete remediation was achieved. A clay layer inserted in the cathode area did enhance the remediation rate. The most effective clean‐up was achieved for zinc and cadmium, with less effective clean‐up being achieved for lead. The effectiveness of the electrokinetic remediation of heavy metal‐contaminated clayey soil was low. The appropriate acidity was not achieved using acetic acid because of the high buffering capacity of clay, and metal ion migration was impeded by its sorption onto some clay components. The conclusion was made that clays could be used as immobilizing media for heavy metal ions by electrokinetic remediation of various soils.
© 2001 Society of Chemical Industry