Electrokinetic remediation of metals‐contaminated sediments: a technology demonstration involving former waste lagoons

Abstract

Electrokinetics (EK) is an emerging remediation technology for the in situ removal of heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and radionuclides from soils and sediments. Naval Air Weapons Station Point Mugu, California will host an EK technology demonstration. The demonstration will consist of installing and operating an EK system, which is engineered to remove cadmium and chromium from former electroplating waste lagoons. The selected site is adjacent to and encroaches on an environmentally sensitive salt marsh are for a federally protected wildlife. The electrokinetic process will be used to mobilize and extract heavy metals from the metals‐contaminated soil by applying a low amperage direct current across an array of electrodes placed in the contaminated soil. The demonstration will focus on the effectiveness of the EK process for removing heavy metals from the tidal marsh area. The EK demonstration will be used to collect cost‐effective data necessary to address both the technical and economic feasibility of using this technology in areas where soils are porous, water is brackish, and the system is susceptible to tidal influences.

Citation

Wills, M.A., Haley, J.C., Fabian, G.L. and Bricka, R.M. (1999), "Electrokinetic remediation of metals‐contaminated sediments: a technology demonstration involving former waste lagoons", Environmental Management and Health, Vol. 10 No. 1, pp. 31-36. https://doi.org/10.1108/09566169910257121