Electrokinetic remediation of contaminated sediments

A field scale treatability study has been in progress since March 1998 to evaluate the use of electrokinetics (EK) to perform in-situ remediation of metals and chlorinated solvent contaminated sediments. The primary goal of the project is to demonstrate that EK can be used to remediate sediments to below naturally occurring levels. The secondary goal is to determine if EK can be used to deliver electron donor to stimulate reductive dechlorination of chlorinated solvents. Sediment samples taken in June 1999 showed that chromium levels in 77.5% of the sediment mass between one anode/cathode pair had been reduced to below natural background levels. Evidence indicating that reductive dechlorination is occurring includes the detection of electron donor metabolites, depression of naturally occurring sulfate levels, and reduction of chlorinated solvent levels by up to 99.0%.