Evaluation of electrokinetics coupled with a reactive barrier of activated carbon loaded with a nanoscale zero-valent iron for selenite removal from contaminated soils

The range between dietary deficient and toxic levels for selenium is quite narrow. In this study, the synergistic effects of electrokinetics (EK) and a permeable reactive barrier (PRB) on the reductive sequestration of Se(IV) oxyanions from spiked soils were investigated in detail. Activated charcoal (AC)-supported Fe(II) and nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) were prepared as the PRB media for use in an electrolyzer. In aqueous equilibrium adsorption tests, the AC-supported nZVI medium had a higher adsorption capacity than that of the other adsorbents. The Se(IV) removal isotherms were well-fitted using the Langmuir model. The Se(IV) removal rates were accurately predicted by both pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. For the coupled systems, a moderate increase in the number of PRBs and decrease in the PRB thickness in the electrolyzer enhanced the removal and catalytic recovery of Se(IV) from the spiked soil samples. A Se(VI) removal efficiency of approximately 95% and Se(VI) reduction efficiency of 90% were achieved in the optimized electrochemical system. The Se(IV) species were reduced to Se degrees and FeSe by the AC-supported nZVI regardless of the pH distribution. The experimental results provide guidance for the multichannel recovery of Se from abandoned ore tailings or solid wastes.