Electrokinetic remediation of Zn and Ni-contaminated soil

The feasibility of catholyte conditioning with the acidic solution and pre-treatment of soil with acidic solution was investigated with the electrokinetic remediation of Zn and Ni contaminated field soil. The extraction of Zn and Ni from soil increased with the decrease in pH of the extracting solution and nitric acid was very effective to extract Zn and Ni from the soil. Conventional electrokinetic treatment and acetate buffer circulation method were not effective to remove Zn and Ni from the soil. Pre-treatment of the soil with acidic solution enhanced the desorption of Zn and Ni and catholyte conditioning with this solution was effective in maintaining the overall soil pH within the electrokinetic cell. The catholyte conditioning and pre-treatment method enhanced the removal of Zn and Ni up to 41% and 40% after operation for 4 weeks. More than 96% of Zn and Ni removed by electrokinetic remediation were due to the electromigration. Catholyte conditioning and the pre-treatment method is effective in enhancing metal removal in electrokinetic remediation.