Utilizing Surface Potential and Soil Retention Phases to Optimize the Selection of Enhancement Materials for Contaminant Extraction from Kaolinite

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
V. R. Ouhadi 1
M. A. Farahpour 2
1 Prof. at Bu-Ali Sina University; Adjunct Prof. at University of Tehran
2 Bu-Ali Sina University
10.22034.24.3.165
Abstract
Every year, millions of tons of toxic and hazardous waste, including heavy metals, are generated. Numerous studies have been conducted to develop more effective and environmentally safe methods for removing contaminants from soil. Electrokinetics remediation is an emerging technology that has received significant interest among environmental scientists. The primary mechanisms driving contaminant movement in electrokinetics include ion migration, electro-osmosis, electrolysis, and electrophoresis.

This research primarily aims to ascertain the influence of kaolinite's different phases on the retention of heavy metal contaminants. The secondary goal is to evaluate the efficacy of EDTA in extracting heavy metals from various phases of kaolinite. The results of this study is applicable to optimize the choice of enhancement materials for contaminant removal via electrokinetics, leading to reduced material requirements, consistent contaminant removal throughout the sample, and heightened soil decontamination efficiency.

To meet these objectives, a range of tests were conducted, including batch equilibrium, zeta potential measurement, and selective sequential extraction on kaolinite, contaminated kaolinite, and EDTA-treated contaminated kaolinite samples. The soil sample analyzed contained primarily kaolinite, calcite, and quartz, as revealed by XRD diffraction. Lead nitrate served as the heavy metal contaminant, and the GBC 932 AA Plus apparatus was employed for its quantification. For zeta potential analysis, 0.05 g of soil was mixed with 50 ml of distilled water, agitated on a mechanical shaker, and measured using the Zeta Sizer Nano Zs after pH adjustment. The SSE tests further investigated the role of soil phases in contaminant retention, providing insight for the optimal selection of enhancement materials in electrokinetics remediation.

The findings of this study indicate that by monitoring the variations in soil surface potential and understanding contaminant retention in soil phases, it is possible to propose an optimal enhancement strategy to improve the efficiency of heavy metal removal. The study also reveals that using either 0.01 or 0.1 molar concentrations of EDTA results in a similar level of contaminant extraction. Moreover, applying 4 cmol/kg of EDTA and washing the soil five times can remove approximately 87% of heavy metals. Given that electrokinetics remediation primarily employs electric current for contaminant extraction, using a lower concentration of EDTA combined with multiple soil washes is a more practical and cost-effective approach.

Keywords

Subjects

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Modares Civil Engineering journal
Volume 24, Issue 3
July and August 2024
Pages 165-178