Electrokinetic Restoration of Saline Soil Accumulated with Nitrate and Sulfate

The electrokinetic transport characteristics of salts were investigated using nitrate and sulfate accumulated saline greenhouse soil. Within 8 days, 95% of nitrate was removed from the soil, while sulfate removal was 19% for 8 days. The low removal of sulfate came from adsorption reaction on the soil particles or organic matter and precipitation with calcium. Divalent cations such as calcium and magnesium were transported toward cathode via electromigration, and most monovalent cation such as potassium was removed. The pattern of residual electrical conductivity was similar with that of sulfate. Based on the results, electrokinetic technique is effective to restore nitrate-accumulated saline soil, but is not effective to restore sulfate-accumulated soil.