Sustainable Permeable Reactive Barrier Materials for Electrokinetic Remediation of Heavy Metals-Contaminated Soil

Thegreen and sustainable remediation technologies in curing heavy metals (HMs)-contaminated soil require recyclable, cost-effective, and sustainable materials to achieve good health, and sustainable goals. Electrokinetic remediation coupled with a permeable reactive barrier (EKR-PRB) has been recognized as a viable technique for remedying HMs-contaminated soil, owing to its passive operation, inexpensiveness, and environmental compatibility. However, most fillermaterials in PRB are expensive and environmentally unfriendly, affecting thesustainable development goals of the planet. This review comprehensivelyexamines the current progress on using waste/recyclable materials as fillermaterials in EKR-PRB to remove toxic HMs from contaminated soil. These materialsare waste/recyclable materials, biochar, charcoals, and cork, which have shownhigh potential as EKR-PRB fillers in extracting HM-contaminated soil. Thesematerials provide a path to reduce both remediation costs and environmentalimpact, enhancing the practicality and sustainability of the EKR-PRBapplication. The review commences with a brief discussion of the fundamentalsof EKR-PRB and key operational parameters affecting the remediationperformance, with a focus on the ecological and economic benefits associatedwith these novel filler materials. Ultimately, it presents future perspectivesand outlines critical challenges in scaling up the application of sustainablePRB materials for effective and environmentally responsible soil remediation.