Electrokinetic Stabilization of Chromium (VI)‐Contaminated Soils

Electrokinetic generation of iron-rich barriers in soils: realising the potential for nuclear site management and decommissioning

“…We also note recent advances in the use of sacrificial anodes for soil, groundwater and wastewater treatment, 51 including iron 12,52–54 magnesium, 55 and aluminium. 56,57 A range of problematic contaminants are known to reductively precipitate in the presence of reduced iron minerals and phases, or sorb to iron-rich phases (and other metal oxides and oxyhydroxides, including those of Al).…”

“…EKR and FIRS have also been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of Cr 6+ contaminated wastes, via electrokinetic iron injection. 12 Page 4 of 20 Environmental Science: Advances…”

“…are also possible. 6,9 These phases are effective adsorbents of a range of contaminants and their surfaces are redox active 12 (potentials ranging from −0.5 to +1.1 V vs. the standard hydrogen electrode, SHE), 13 making iron-rich barriers grown in situ a potentially attractive technology for (a), containment and management of contaminated groundwater or leachates, and (b), in situ sorption or reductive precipitation of contaminants onto these iron-rich phases. [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] Following cessation of applied current the pH gradient dissipates, leaving a solid Fe-rich barrier that can be extracted, or le in place in the subsurface.…”

“…EKR and FIRS have also been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of Cr 6+ contaminated wastes, via electrokinetic iron injection. 12 Moving from the laboratory to the eld and (nally) routine site scale application however remains a key limitation to EKR techniques, with more studies required at larger scale, to determine the scalability, applicability, reliability and costeffectiveness of EKR for site remediation. 25,26 Here, we report the remote precipitation of iron-rich barriers, in (i) controlled Fig.…”