Abstract
AbstractThe science of metallic iron for environmental remediation is yet to be established. The prevailing theory of the Fe0/H2O system is characterized by its inability to fully rationalize the concept that holds up the technology. The present article demonstrates that Fe0 technology was introduced by altering the course of mainstream science and by distorting the work of corrosion scientists. The Fe0 research community is now facing the consequences of this initial “forcing”. The technology is still innovative despite two decades of commercialization.
Highlights
Metallic iron (Fe0, iron metal) is commonly termed “zerovalent iron” within the environmental research community
Sponge iron is a traditional material used as oxygen scavenger in water treatment plants (Li et al, 2011; Yi et al, 2013)
The observed mass loss of chlorinated organic compounds was reproducible and was attributed to reductive dechlorination by Fe0 (Reynolds et al, 1990). This observation coincided with the active search of relevant reactive materials for permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) after the concept had been presented by McMurty and Elton (1985)
Summary
Metallic iron (Fe0, iron metal) is commonly termed “zerovalent iron” within the environmental research community. Individual research groups tested the suitability of Fe0 to remove azo dyes, heavy metals, nutrients, radionuclides and constituents present in agricultural/hospital wastes or pharmaceuticals and personal care products (Cai et al, 2013). None of these classes of compounds is homogeneous with regard to chemical nature, structure and reactivity (Komnitsas, Zaharaki, Doula, & Kavvadias, 2011; Kümmerer, 2009; Nödler, Licha, Bester, & Sauter, 2010; Schaffer, Börnick, Nödler, Licha, & Worch, 2012). Even if they were reductively transformed by Fe0, three major issues still need to be addressed: (i) the sustainability of reduction after inherent oxide film formation, (ii) the nature of the reaction products, and (iii) the environmental fate of the reaction products
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