Electrokinetic Remediation of a Soil Contaminated with Anthracene Using Different Surfactants

Abstract

Electrokinetic technique is one of the common methods that can be used for removal of organic contaminants in soil. There are some organic contaminants with low solubility in water. To improve the efficiency of remediation it is possible to use appropriate surfactants as flushing solution. In this work nonionic (Poloxamer 407 and Tween 80), anionic (sodium dodecyl sulfate [SDS]), and humic acid (HA) with solution of 0.1 M NaOH were selected for improving the remediation of a soil contaminated with anthracene. A solution of NaOH and surfactants were used as anolyte, but HA was mixed with contaminated soil. At the end of each test a number of soil samples were extracted from the middle of the soil at different distances from the anode, and removal of contaminant was measured by a high performance liquid chromatography apparatus. Results show the effectiveness of solution surfactants and NaOH in removal of anthracene was SDS > Tween 80 > Poloxamer 407. In addition, results indicate that effect of HA on remediation is less than SDS and more than nonionic surfactants.