[Remediation of chromium (VI) contaminated soils using permeable reactive composite electrodes technology]

Electrokinetic transport processes have been shown to have potential for the effective removal of heavy metals from soils. However, pH changes near the anode and cathode limit their widespread application in the remediation of contaminated soils. Permeable reactive composite electrodes (PRCE) were made by attaching reactive materials such as Fe(0) and zeolite to the electrodes, and the effects of the composite electrodes on pH control, chromium removal efficiency and Cr speciation changes were studied in the electrokinetic remediation process of Cr( VI) contaminated soil. Composite electrodes consisting of permeable reactive materials gave better pH control and Cr removal efficiency compared to traditional electrodes, and a Fe(0) + zeolite reactive layer in the anode exhibited the best performance compared to zeolite or Fe(0) alone. After 5 days of electrokinetic remediation with a DC voltage of 2 V x cm(-1), the Fe(0) + zeolite reactive layer lowered the pH fluctuation, maintained the soil pH in the range of 5.5 to 8.5, raised the Cr(VI) removal efficiency up to 97% in any soil section, produced lower Cr(III) residues, enhanced the amount of Cr retention up to 8 and 1.8 times respectively, and transformed 98% of the Cr(VI) into lower toxicity Cr(III). This study provides a theoretical basis for the exploitation of permeable reactive composite electrodes which are a practical option for future applications.