Remediation of cesium-contaminated fine soil using electrokinetic method

In this study, electrokinetic remediation equipment was used to remove cesium (Cs) from clay soil and waste solution was treated with sorption process. The influence of electrokinetic process on the removal of Cs was evaluated under the condition of applied electric voltage of 15.0-20.0 V. In addition to monitoring the Cs removal, electrical current and temperature of the electrolyte during experiment were investigated. The removal efficiency of Cs from soil by electrokinetic method was more than 90%. After electrokinetic remediation, Cs was selectively separated from soil waste solution using sorbents. Various adsorption agents such as potassium nickel hexacyanoferrate (KNiHCF), Prussian blue, sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB), and zeolite were compared and KNiHCF showed the highest Cs removal efficiency. The Cs adsorption on KNiHCF reached equilibrium in 30 min. The maximum adsorption capacity was 120.4 mg/g at 0.1 g/L of adsorbent dosage. These results demonstrated that our proposed process combined electrokinetic remediation of soil and waste solution treatment with metal ferrocyanide can be a promising technique to decontaminate Cs-contaminated fine soil.