Effective remediation of organic-metal co-contaminated soil by enhanced electrokinetic-bioremediation process

Abstract

• A new EK-BIO technology was developed to decontaminate e-waste contaminated soil.

• Adding sodium citrate in electrolyte was a good choice for decontaminating the soil.

• The system has good performance with low cost.

This work investigates the influence of electrokinetic-bioremediation (EK-BIO) on remediating soil polluted by persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals (mainly Cu, Pb and Ni), originated from electronic waste recycling activity. The results demonstrate that most of POPs and metals were removed from the soil. More than 60% of metals and 90% of POPs in the soil were removed after a 30-day EK-BIO remediation assisted by citrate. A citrate sodium concentration of 0.02 g/L was deemed to be suitable because higher citrate did not significantly improve treatment performance whereas increasing dosage consumption. Citrate increased soil electrical current and electroosmotic flow. After remediation, metal residues mainly existed in stable and low-toxic states, which could effectively lower the potential hazard of toxic metals to the surrounding environment and organisms. EK-BIO treatment influenced soil microbial counts, dehydrogenase activity and community structure.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Electrokinetic / Co-contamination / Debromination

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