Electrodialytic Remediation of Heavy Metal Polluted Soil

Abstract

This article presents the historical background, the principle and case studies of electrodialytic remediation of heavy metal polluted soil. Remediation of fine grained soils polluted by heavy metals is problematic for most traditional methods such as pump and treat technologies and soil washing methods. On the other hand, electrochemical soil remediation methods are particularly suited for the fine grained soils. These methods are based on an applied electric current as cleaning agent. The current tends to pass the soil through the finest pores, i.e. next for the smallest soil particles, where the heavy metals are mainly adsorbed.