A Bench Scale Model for Developing of an Integrated In-situ Remediation for Heavy Metals Using EKG Electrodes

摘要

In this study, using established geotechnical methods, electrokinetic geosynthetics (EKGs) were installed directly in the heavy metal contaminated soil specimen and the electrokinetic (EK) process used to move the ionic contaminant species through the treatment zones. The EK technology, coupled with water flushing at the anode, was applied at bench scale on Zinc (II) laden kaolin soil for a period of five weeks. Completed tests indicated that the technique can significantly reduce contaminant species concentration in treated soil, by remobilisation of the target cations towards the cathode electrode, where they are extracted from the soil through the effluent. The data indicate that the combination of EK and soil flushing shows considerable promise as an in situ method for contaminated land remediation. The study also highlights the potential of the EKG system for widening the applicability of soil flushing techniques to fine-grained soils.