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Science 23 April 1993:
Vol. 260. no. 5107, pp. 498 - 503
DOI: 10.1126/science.260.5107.498
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Articles

Removal of Contaminants from Soils by Electric Fields

Ronald F. Probstein 1 and R. Edwin Hicks 1

1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139

Application of a direct-current electric field in soils that contain contaminated liquid is expected to produce an important in situ means of environmental restoration. The electric field induces a motion of the liquid and dissolved ions that transports the contaminant to wells for removal. Electrode chemistry plays an important role, and reagents can be introduced at the electrodes to enhance contaminant removal rates. Experiments and modeling demonstrate high degrees of contaminant removal, propagation of sharp acid and base wave fronts from the electrodes, and a "focusing" effect by which metals accumulate in regions of the soil.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Electrokinetic generation of reactive iron-rich barriers in wet sediments: implications for contaminated land management.
D. W. S. Faulkner, L. Hopkinson, and A. B. Cundy (2005)
Mineralogical Magazine 69, 749-757
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
In Situ Speciation Studies of Copper-Humic Substances in a Contaminated Soil during Electrokinetic Remediation.
S.-H. Liu and H. P. Wang (2004)
J. Environ. Qual. 33, 1280-1287
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »


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