Electrokinetic remediation for the removal of organic contaminants in soils

Electrokinetic remediation is a technology developed in the late 80s of the XX century for the remediation of soils and other solid materials. This technology is still being investigated for developing new and effective applications in contaminated soils and sediments. The removal or elimination of organic contaminants in soil with electrokinetics has attracted much interest due to the lack of effective remediation technologies. Electrokinetics is able to remediate organics in soil when combined with facilitating agents such as surfactants, co-solvents, nanoparticles, and oxidizing chemicals that can help in the removal or degradation of the contaminants in situ. Electrokinetics have also combined with other remediating technologies: in situ chemical oxidation, bioremediation, and phytoremediation, with the objective of reaching a synergistic effect on the removal/elimination of organic contaminants in soil. This paper discusses the state-of-the-art of remediation of organic contaminants in soil with electrokinetic technology.