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Reduction of Hexavalent Chromium in Soil and Ground Water Using Zero-Valent Iron Under Batch and Semi-Batch Conditions

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Abstract

Chemical remediation of soil and groundwater containing hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) was carried out under batch and semi-batch conditions using different iron species: (Fe(II) (sulphate solution); Fe0 G (granulated elemental iron); ZVIne (non-stabilized zerovalent iron) and ZVIcol (colloidal zerovalent iron). ZVIcol was synthesized using different experimental conditions with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and ultra-sound. Chemical analysis revealed that the contaminated soil (frank clay sandy texture) presented an average Cr(VI) concentration of 456 ± 35 mg kg−1. Remediation studies carried out under batch conditions indicated that 1.00 g of ZVIcol leads to a chemical reduction of ∼280 mg of Cr(VI). Considering the fractions of Cr(VI) present in soil (labile, exchangeable and insoluble), it was noted that after treatment with ZVIcol (semi-batch conditions and pH 5) only 2.5% of these species were not reduced. A comparative study using iron species was carried out in order to evaluate the reduction potentialities exhibited by ZVIcol. Results obtained under batch and semi-batch conditions indicate that application of ZVIcol for the “in situ” remediation of soil and groundwater containing Cr(VI) constitutes a promising technology.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the National Scientific Council for Research and Development (CNPq—Brazil) and Dr. Carol Collins for her technical assistance with the English.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Chemistry, LQA—UNICAMP, Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil

    Débora V. Franco & Wilson F. Jardim

  2. Department of Chemistry, FACESA—UFVJM, Rua da Glória 187, 39100-000, Diamantina, MG, Brazil

    Leonardo M. Da Silva

Authors
  1. Débora V. Franco
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  2. Leonardo M. Da Silva
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  3. Wilson F. Jardim
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Débora V. Franco.

Glossary

MCV

Maximum concentration value for Cr(VI)

SGW

Synthetic groundwater

ZVIne

Non-stabilized zerovalent iron

ZVIcol

Colloidal zerovalent iron stabilized using CMC

Fe0 G

Granulated zerovalent iron

Fe(II)

Ferrous sulfate solution

CMC

Carboxymethyl cellulose

PV

Pore volume (−)

G

Volumetric flow rate (ml min−1)

ν

Linear velocity of the fluid (cm h−1)

k VD

Volumetric mass dispersion coefficient (h−1)

k obs

Pseudo-first order kinetic rate constant for the redox reaction (h−1)

k obs*

Overall pseudo-first order kinetic rate constant for the redox reaction (h−1)

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Franco, D.V., Da Silva, L.M. & Jardim, W.F. Reduction of Hexavalent Chromium in Soil and Ground Water Using Zero-Valent Iron Under Batch and Semi-Batch Conditions. Water Air Soil Pollut 197, 49–60 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-008-9790-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-008-9790-0

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