Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Remediation of lead-, arsenic-, and cesium-contaminated soil using consecutive washing enhanced with electro-kinetic field

  • Soils, Sec 1 • Soil Organic Matter Dynamics and Nutrient Cycling • Research Article
  • Published:
Journal of Soils and Sediments Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Extensive deposition of Pb, As, and Cs in soils may damage ecosystems and human’s health. Soil washing is the most conventional remediation method, and its efficiency depends on metal solubility in soil. This study aims to optimize operating variables of electro-kinetic field (EKF)-enhanced soil washing procedures.

Materials and methods

Soil samples from a Mississippi River Delta rice field were homogeneously spiked with Pb, As, and Cs, and contaminated soil was aged for 3 months. The remediation involved a first stage electro-kinetic process, followed by a soil washing procedure. Soil pH changes under EKF were studied. Effects of citric acid and reversed EKF were investigated for alleviating possible alkaline precipitation. In the washing procedure, soil washing time and cycles with different extractants were examined. The overall EKF-enhanced soil washing efficiencies were discussed as well.

Results and discussion

The implement of EKF offered an acidic soil environment around the anode areas for solubilizing metal(loid)s. Combined with EKF, citric acid was more conductive to desorb metal(loid)s. In addition, the reversed EKF effectively alleviated metal(loid) precipitation caused by alkalization in the first stage cathode areas. The EKF significantly enhanced metal(loid) extractions in the anode area of soils using Na2EDTA, CaCl2, and citric acid at pH of 2. The most preferable removal of Pb (80–98 %), As (48–63 %), and Cs (10–13 %) was achieved with three extractants. CaCl2 and citric acid were proved to be suitable alternatives to Na2EDTA for Pb extraction. A washing process of 2 h extraction with double washing cycles was optimized.

Conclusions

Soil washing time and cycles were major factors governing the metal(loid) removal from soil. Washing process of 2 h extraction with double cycles was optimized for further extraction based on higher washing efficiency. The EKF effectively improved washing efficiency while some electrical parameters need further studies for cost performance consideration.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Altin A, Degirmenci M (2005) Lead (II) removal from natural soils by enhanced electrokinetic remediation. Sci Total Environ 337:1–10

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Adriano DC (2001) Trace elements in terrestrial environments: biogeochemistry, bioavailability and risks of metals. Springer-Verlag, New York, 796 pp

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Barona A, Aranguiz I, Elias A (2001) Metal associations in soils before and after EDTA extractive decontamination: implications for the effectiveness of further clean-up procedures. Environ Pollut 113:75–85

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bi R, Schlaak M, Siefert E, Lord R, Connolly H (2011) Influence of electrical fields (AC and DC) on phytoremediation of metal polluted soils with rapeseed (Brassica napus) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). Chemosphere 83:318–326

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blake GR, Harte KH (1986) Bulk density. In: Klute A (ed) Methods of soil analysis. Part I: physical and mineralogical methods. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, pp 363–375

    Google Scholar 

  • Cameselle C, Chirakkara RA, Reddy KR (2013) Electrokinetic-enhanced phytoremediation of soils: status and opportunities. Chemosphere 93:626–636

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chaiyaraksa C, Sriwiriyanuphap N (2004) Batch washing of cadmium from soil and sludge by a mixture of Na2S2O5 and Na2EDTA. Chemosphere 56:1129–1135

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dermont G, Bergeron M, Mercier G, Lafleche MR (2008) Soil washing for metal removal: a review of physical/chemical technologies and field applications. J Hazard Mater 152:1–31

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duruibe JO, Ogwuegbu MOC, Egwurugwu JN (2007) Heavy metal pollution and human biotoxic effects. Int J Ph ys Sci 2:112–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Egli T (1988) An aerobic breakdown of chelating agents used in household deter-gents. Microbiol Sci 5:36–41

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Finzgar N, Lestan D (2007) Multi-step leaching of Pb and Zn contaminated soils with EDTA. Chemosphere 66:824–832

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Giannis A, Nikolaou A, Pentari D, Gidarakos E (2009) Chelating agent-assisted electrokinetic removal of cadmium, lead and copper from contaminated soils. Environ Pollut 157:3379–3386

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gabos MB, Abreu CA, Coscione AR (2009) EDTA assisted phytoremediation of a Pb contaminated soil: metal leaching and uptake by jack beans. Sci Agric 66:506–514

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gidarakos E, Giannis A (2006) Chelate agents enhanced electrokinetic remediation for removal cadmium and zinc by conditioning catholyte pH. Water Air Soil Pollut 172:295–312

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Giannakopoulou F, Haidouti C, Chronopoulou A, Gasparatos D (2007) Sorption behavior of cesium on various soils under different pH levels. J Hazard Mater 149:553–556

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Han FX, Banin A (1999) Long-term transformations and redistribution of potentially toxic heavy metals in arid-zone soils. II: under the field capacity regime. Water Air Soil Pollut 114:221–250

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Han FX, Banin A (1997) Long-term transformations and redistribution of potentially toxic heavy metals in arid-zone soils. I: under saturated conditions. Water Air Soil Pollut 95:399–423

    Google Scholar 

  • Han FX, Kingery WL, Hargreaves JE, Walker TW (2007) Effects of land uses on solid-phase distribution of micronutrients in selected vertisols of the Mississippi River Delta. Geoderma 142:96–103

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Han FX, Kingery WL, Selim HM, Gerard PD, Cox MS, Oldham JL (2004) Arsenic solubility and distribution in poultry waste and long-term amended soil. Sci Total Environ 320:51–61

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Iannelli R, Masi M, Ceccarini A, Ostuni MB, Lageman R, Muntoni A, Spiga D, Polettini A, Marini A, Pomi R (2015) Electrokinetic remediation of metal-polluted marine sediments: experimental investigation for plant design. Electrochim Acta 181:146–159

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson ML (1958) Soil chemical analysis. Prentic Hall Inc, New York, 288 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim KJ, Cho JM, Baek K, Yang JS, Ko SH (2010) Electrokinetic removal of chloride and sodium from tidelands. J Appl Electrochem 29:1139–1144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim DH, Jeon CS, Baek K, Ko SH, Yang JS (2008) Electrokinetic remediation of fluorine-contaminated soil: conditioning of anolyte. J Hazard Mater 161:565–569

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim KJ, Kim DH, Yoo JC, Baek K (2011) Electrokinetic extraction of heavy metals from dredged marine sediment. Sep Purif Technol 79:164–169

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kirpichtchikova TA, Manceau A, Spadini L, Panfili F, Marcus MA, Jacquet T (2006) Speciation and solubility of heavy metals in contaminated soil using X-ray microfluorescence, EXAFS spectroscopy, chemical extraction, and thermodynamic modeling. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 70:2163–2190

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Labanowski J, Monna F, Bermond A, Cambier P, Fernandez C, Lamy I, VanOort F (2008) Kinetic extractions to assess mobilization of Zn, Pb, Cu, and Cd in a metal-contaminated soil: EDTA vs citrate. Environ Pollut 152:693–701

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lestan D, Luo CL, Li XD (2008) The use of chelating agents in the remediation of metal-contaminated soils: a review. Environ Pollut 153:3–13

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li RS, Li LY (2000) Enhancement of electrokinetic extraction from lead-spiked soils. J Environ Eng 126:849–857

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lim TT, Tay JH, Wang JY (2004) Chelating-agent-enhanced heavy metal extraction from a contaminated acidic soil. J Environ Eng 130:59–66

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lu P, Feng Q, Meng Q, Yuan T (2012) Electrokinetic remediation of chromium- and cadmium-contaminated soil from abandoned industrial site. Sep Purif Technol 98:216–220

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mao XY, Han FX, Shao XH, Guo K, McComb J, Arslan Z, Zhang ZY (2016) Electro-kinetic remediation coupled with phytoremediation to remove lead, arsenic and cesium from contaminated paddy soil. Ecotox Environ Saf 125:16–24

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mandal B (2002) Arsenic round the world: a review. Talanta 58:201–235

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maturi K, Reddy KR (2008) Extraction of mixed contaminants from different soil types. Soil Sediment Contam 17:586–608

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ng Y, Gupta BS, Hashim MA (2014) Performance evaluation of two-stage electrokinetic washing as soil remediation method for lead removal using different wash solutions. Electrochim Acta 147:9–18

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nowack B, Schulin R, Robinson BH (2006a) A critical assessment of chelantenhanced metal phytoextraction. Environ Sci Technol 40:5225–5232

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nowack B, Schulin R, Robinson BH (2006b) A critical assessment of chelantenhanced metal phytoextraction. Environ Sci Technol 40:5225–5232

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peters RW (1999) Chelant extraction of heavy metals from contaminated soils. J Hazard Mater 66:151–210

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Polettini A, Pomi R, Rolle E (2007) The effect of operating variables on chelantassisted remediation of contaminated dredged sediment. Chemosphere 66:866–877

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Puppala SK, Alshawabkeh AN, Acar YB, Gale RJ, Bricka M (1997) Enhanced electrokinetic remediation of high sorption capacity soil. J Hazard Mater 55:203–220

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Park SW, Lee JY, Yang JS, Kim KJ, Baek K (2009) Electrokinetic remediation of contaminated soil with waste-lubricant oils and zinc. J Hazard Mater 169:1168–1172

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reed BE, Carriere PC, Moore R (1996) Flushing of a Pb(II) contaminated soil using HCl, EDTA and CaCl2. J Environ Eng 122:48–50

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shen Z, Chen X, Jia J, Qu L, Wang W (2007) Comparison of electrokinetic soil remediation methods using one fixed anode and approaching anodes. Environ Pollut 150:193–199

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Strawn DG, Sparks DL (2000) Effects of soil organic matter on the kinetics and mechanisms of Pb(II) sorption and desorption in soil. Soil Sci Soc Am J 64:144–156

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sun B, Zhao FJ, Lombi E, McGrath SP (2001) Leaching of heavy metals from contaminated soils using EDTA. Environ Pollut 113:111–120

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Suzuki T, Niinae M, Koga T, Akita T, Ohta M, Choso T (2014) EDDS-enhanced electrokinetic remediation of heavy metal-contaminated clay soils under neutral pH conditions. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 440:145–150

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Salazar MJ, Pignata ML (2014) Lead accumulation in plants grown in polluted soils. Screening of native species for phytoremediation. J Geochem Explor 137:29–36

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shotyk W, Norton SA, Farmer JG (1997) Summary of the workshop of peat bog archives of atmospheric metal deposition. Water Air Soil Pollut 100:213–219

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sun YB, Zhou QX, An J, Liu WT, Liu R (2009) Chelator-enhanced phytoextraction of heavy metals from contaminated soil irrigated by industrial wastewater with the hyperaccumulator plant. Geoderma 150:106–112

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tokunaga S, Hakuta T (2002) Acid washing and stabilization of an artificial arsenic-contaminated soil. Chemosphere 46:31–38

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tsang DCW, Zhang WH, Lo IMC (2007) Copper extraction effectiveness and soil dissolution issues of EDTA-flushing of contaminated soils. Chemosphere 68:234–243

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tyler G, Pahlsson AM, Bengtsson G, Baath E, Tranvik L (1989) Heavy metal ecology and terrestrial plants, micro-organisms and invertebrates: a review. Water Air Soil Pollut 47:189–215

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Virkutyte J, Sillanpaa M, Latostenmaa P (2002) Electrokinetic soil remediation—critical overview. Sci Total Environ 289:97–121

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wuana RA, Okieimen FE (2011) Heavy metals in contaminated soils: a review of sources, chemistry, risks and best available strategies for remediation. Int Scholar Res Netw Ecol 2011:1–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Yeung AT, Gu YY (2011) A review on techniques to enhance electrochemical remediation of contaminated soils. J Hazard Mater 195:11–29

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yeung AT, Gu YY (2012) Use of chelating agents in electrochemical remediation of contaminated soil. In: Daniel C, Tsang W, Irene M, Lo C, Surampalli RY (eds) Chelating agents for land decontamination technologies. American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, pp 212–280

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang W, Huang H, Tan FF, Wang H, Qiu RL (2010) Influence of EDTA washing on the species and mobility of heavy metals residual in soils. J Hazard Mater 173:369–376

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou DM, Deng CF, Cang L (2004) Electrokinetic remediation of a Cu contaminated red soil by conditioning catholyte pH with different enhancing chemical reagents. Chemosphere 56:265–73

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zou Z, Qiu R, Zhang W, Dong HY, Zhao ZH, Zhang T, Wei XG, Cai XD (2009) The study of operating variables in soil washing with EDTA. Environ Pollut 157:229–236

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC-HQ-12-G-38-0038) and US Department of Commerce (NOAA) (NA11SEC4810001-003499). Mr. Mao was also supported by Jiangsu Scientific Research Innovation Program of Ordinary Higher Education Graduate (KYZZ0156), the Fundamental Research Fund for the Central Universities (2016B04314), Special Fund for Hydro-scientific Research in the Public Interest (201301017), the Fundamental Research Fund for the Central Universities (2014B04814 and 2015B05814), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51509068), Jiangsu Planned Projects for Postdoctoral Research Funds (1501043A), and China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2015 M581716).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China

    Xinyu Mao, Xiaohou Shao & Tingting Chang

  2. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Jackson State University, 1400 J. R. Lynch Street, P. O. Box 17910, Jackson, MS, 39217, USA

    Xinyu Mao, Fengxiang X. Han, Zikri Arslan, Jacqueline McComb, Kai Guo & Ahmet Celik

Authors
  1. Xinyu Mao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Fengxiang X. Han
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xiaohou Shao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Zikri Arslan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jacqueline McComb
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Tingting Chang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Kai Guo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Ahmet Celik
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xinyu Mao.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Zhiqun Huang

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mao, X., Han, F.X., Shao, X. et al. Remediation of lead-, arsenic-, and cesium-contaminated soil using consecutive washing enhanced with electro-kinetic field. J Soils Sediments 16, 2344–2353 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-016-1435-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-016-1435-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation