2D crossed electric field for electrokinetic remediation of chromium contaminated soil

Chromium contaminated soil can be remediated by electrokinetic techniques. However, in practical application, Cr(VI) may migrate with water deep into the soil, contaminating previously unpolluted layers. Both horizontal and vertical electric fields were applied simultaneously to improve traditional electrokinetic remediation. Contrasting experiments using four operation modes (none, solely horizontal, solely vertical and 2D crossed electric field) were designed and tested at the bench-scale with the practical sample of chromium contaminated soil (1.3 x 10(5) mg/kg) from a chemical plant to investigate Cr(VI) migration downward in each test and the effectiveness and feasible of the new design. During the tests, Cr(VI) could migrate deep into the soil in the solely horizontal mode. Cr(VI) migration downward could be prevented by vertical barrier in the solely vertical mode. However, using the 2D crossed mode, Cr(VI) was significantly prevented from migrating downward and the chromium contaminated soil was treated effectively. Thus, the 2D crossed electric field is a promising and practical method for the remediation of contaminated soils. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.