Enhanced electrokinetic remediation of mercury-contaminated soils

Experiments were conducted to gain understanding of the mercury-iodine-sulfur system, and to determine the feasibility of using iodine-iodide enhanced electrokinetic remediation for mercury-contaminated soils. An electrokinetic apparatus was used to apply DC current and iodine-iodide lixiviant to mercury-contaminated soil containing mercury concentrations from approximately 270 to 450 mg/kg. The soil was analyzed to determine mercury removal and pore water chemistry. Mercury removal was as great as 98.8% for artificially contaminated soil. It was concluded that the enhanced electrokinetic remediation showed potential to remove the majority of soil mercury under the conditions tested.