Electrokinetic Remediation of Methyl Blue Contaminated Soil

This work studies the removal of organic pollutants from soil by applying electrokinetic remediation. Model samples with methyl blue contaminated soil were used to evaluate the capacity of the electrokinetic remediation in the treatment and removal of organics from soils. The problem of soil contaminated with dyes from textile industries is a lingering problem which needs to decontaminate using EKR techniques. An EKR tool equipped with a DC electric current (30 voltage, 10amp.) were used in the remediation and the use of Na2HPO4 as the electrolyte or processing fluid increased the electro-osmotic flux and desorption of dye from the surface of methyl blue contaminated soil. Different sample concentrations (200ppm, 400ppm and 800ppm) were analyzed with respect to control. The results of dye removal percentage from 200ppm sample were 59%, 63% and 78% for 1, 2 and 3hours respectively. For 400ppm, 51%, 62% and 70% of dye was removed at 1, 2, and 3hours respectively, for 800ppm, 50%, 65% and 73% of dye was removed at 1, 2, and 3hours respectively. From the results of the various sample concentrations, the degradation Increases with time. From the achieved results, the electrokinetic remediation technique could be a promising option for the remediation method for soil and sediments contaminated with organic compounds including dyes.