Electrokinetic remediation of mercurycontaminated soil, from the mine El Alacran-San Jorge river basin, Cordoba- Colombia

Mercury (Hg), hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)), and selenium (Se) are significant environmental pollutants found in various forms in the environment, with diverse sources and adverse health effects. This book consists of three chapters.Chapter I focuses on Hg, recognized as one of the most hazardous heavy metals. Its extensive release from both natural and anthropogenic sources. Natural sources include volcanic eruptions and weathering of rocks, while significant anthropogenic sources contributing to mercury pollution include mining, industrial processes, and the combustion of fossil fuels. Hg exists in various forms such as elemental mercury, mercuric sulfide, and methylmercury, with each form having different environmental behaviors and toxicities. Remediation techniques for mercury-contaminated soils include thermal desorption, electrokinetic extraction, soil washing, chemical stabilization, phytoremediation, and microbial methods.Chapter II adresses chromium, which occurs in two states: Trivalent chromium (Cr(III)) and hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), with Cr(VI) being more harmful and associated with occupational carcinogenesis. Cr(VI) is primarily released from industrial processes such as chrome plating, stainless steel production, and leather tanning. Occupational exposure to Cr(VI) can lead to various health issues, including respiratory problems and increased cancer risk. Remediation methods for Cr (VI) encompass bioremediation and phytoremediation.Chapter III discusses Se, an essential trace element for living organisms, offering health benefits at low concentrations but posing significant environmental and health hazards at elevated levels. Natural sources of Se contamination include weathering of rocks and volcanic eruptions, while human activities such as metal smelting, coal-fired power plants, and agricultural drainage also contribute significantly. Se toxicity is predominantly associated with its inorganic forms, Se(IV) and Se(VI), which are highly mobile and bioavailable, leading to contamination of water, air, and soil. Remediation approaches for selenium, including membrane technology, phytoremediation, in situ bio-reduction, electro-coagulation (EC), adsorption, electrochemical technique, electrokinetics and the use of weak magnetic fields.Overall, this book presents sources of Hg, Cr (VI), and Se, their toxicity, and numerous remediation techniques.

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Mercury

Celik

2024

Sources, Toxicity and Remediation Techniques of Mercury, Hexavalent Chromium and Selenium

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Mercury (Hg) is a pervasive and hazardous heavy metal pollutant, originating from both natural sources and human activities. The global concern over mercury pollution escalated following the Minamata disease incident in Japan during the 1950s. Mercury can exist in liquid form at room temperature and as a gas, enabling long-distance atmospheric travel. Human activities, including industrial processes, fossil fuel combustion, and mineral extraction, significantly contribute to mercury emissions, with approximately 2220 tons emitted globally in 2015. Mercury pollution in soil, primarily driven by anthropogenic activities such as mining and coal combustion, poses severe environmental and health risks. Mercury in soil exists in inorganic and organic forms, with methylmercury being particularly toxic due to its bioaccumulation and neurotoxic effects. Remediation of mercury-contaminated soil involves physical, chemical, and biological methods. Thermal desorption, a key physical remediation technique, uses heat to volatilize and remove mercury from soil. This method’s efficacy depends on soil characteristics, mercury speciation, and operational parameters. However, high temperatures can degrade soil quality, necessitating a balance between effective mercury removal and maintaining soil usability.This chapter provides an overview of mercury’s sources, toxicity, and various remediation techniques, emphasizing the need for effective strategies to mitigate its environmental and health impacts.

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Electrokinetic remediation of mercurycontaminated soil, from the mine El Alacran-San Jorge river basin, Cordoba- Colombia

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Mercury Contamination and It’s Dynamics in Soil–Plant Systems

Mercury Contamination and It’s Dynamics in Soil–Plant Systems

Sources, Toxicity and Remediation Techniques of Mercury, Hexavalent Chromium and Selenium

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