Enhanced remediation of hydrocarbons contaminated soil using electrokinetic soil flushing - Landfarming processes

A sequential process of electrokinetic soil flushing (EKSF) and landfarming treatment was demonstrated to remove hydrocarbons from clay soil. Surfactant concentration was the independent variable with a concentration of 2x, 4x, 6x, and 8x of critical micelle concentration (CMC), respectively. Environmental changes, the number of microorganisms, and total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentration were also calculated and measured as response variables. The highest removal efficiency for TPH concentration in electrokinetic remediation occurred when surfactant concentration was 6x CMC while the concentration of TPH was reduced by about 49.9% from the initial concentration. The removal efficiency of the 6x CMC reactor in the landfarming treatment was found to be around 71.1%, and the number of microorganisms increased from 106 to 107 Colony Forming Unit (CFU)/g soil. The sequential process of EKSF - landfarming treatment produces higher removal efficiency than the natural attenuation after 50 days of treatment.