Physico-Chemical Properties of Chromium Contaminated Soil

To provide the reference for the chromium contaminated soil. specific weight, pH, Atterberg limits, particle size distribution, swelling and Compaction tests were conducted to investigate the physico-chemical properties of chromium-contaminated soils with different concentrations. Results showed specific weight of the chromium contaminated soil increased from 2.66 to 2.78, the maximum dry density increased from 1.68 g/cm(3) to 1.73 g/cm(3), silt content increased from 56.4% to 98.9%, pH decreased from 8.56 to 5.48, plastic limit decreased from 21.7 to 18.2, liquid limit decreased from 46.5 to 39.3,expansion ratio decreased from17.9% to 4.8%, optimum water content decreased from 23.6% to 21.5%, clay content decreased from 43.6% to 1.1%. These results can be attributed to the compressed diffuse double layer of soil particles through ion exchange action of chromium.