Enhancement of electrokinetic extraction from lead-spiked soils

An innovative system was developed to enhance electrokinetic extraction of heavy metals from contaminated soils. The system consists of a layer that was continuously flushed with nitric acid at pH 3 near the cathodic region and two reservoirs with 0.4 M NaOAc at pH 3.8 and acetic acid at pH 4 flushing the anode and cathode, respectively. Both pure kaolinite and carbonate-rich illitic soils were tested. With traditional electrokinetic systems, approximately 60% of lead was transported to the cathode for kaolinite, whereas there was little removal for carbonate-rich illitic soil. This result indicates that clay minerals have an important effect on the desorption process. The integrated electrokinetic system maximized contaminant extraction and minimized precipitation in the cathodic region. Over 80% of the lead was removed from carbonate-rich illitic soil, with 5,000-mg/kg initial lead contaminated concentration, and leached out through the flushing layer. The system operated successfully in laboratory bench tests with carbonate-rich illitic soil.