Electrokinetic Remediation of Zn Contaminated Soil under Field Condition

Electrokinetic removal of heavy metals from contaminated soils (especially in soils with low hydraulic conductivity) is an innovative approach for their remediation. In this research, electrokinetic remediation of clayey loam soil spiked with Znwas evaluated in three depths 0, 15 and 30 cm at field-scale.All experiments were imposed with a constant voltage gradient of 1 Vcm-1in three time periods of 2, 4 and 6 days at a field in Marand area, North West of Iran. The soil containedlarge amount of Zn (1575, 828, 965 mg kg−1 in 0, 15 and 30 cm depths respectively). The results indicated thatthe removal efficiencies for Zn were significantly influenced by time duration. For instance, the increment of the applied electrical currentduration from 2 to 4 days increased the mean removal of Zn at 0, 15 and 30 cm depths 60.26%, 70.74% and 67%, respectively. The maximum metal removal efficiencies of Zn for the three depths of 0, 15 and 30 cm were 19.1%, 21.9% and 23.8% respectively. In addition, the pH changes along the soil plots showed an increasing trend of pH amountfrom the anode to the cathode.