Technical Challenges to In-situ Remediation of Polluted Sites |
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Authors: | Krishna R Reddy |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Civil and Materials Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 842, West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60607, USA |
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Abstract: | Throughout the world, subsurface contamination has become a widespread and pervasive problem. Toxic chemicals such as heavy
metals and organic compounds are commonly used in a myriad of industries. However, largely through inadvertent or accidental
release, these chemicals are presently polluting sites across the United States. In order to protect public health and the
environment, further pollution must be prevented and sites with existing contamination urgently need remediation. Unfortunately,
remediating subsurface contamination has proved to be a daunting task. Heavy metals and organic compounds often coexist and
their distribution within the subsurface is highly dependent on particle and macro-scale heterogeneities. Vast resources have
been invested to develop efficient remediation technologies, yet very few of these technologies have been successful. In-situ
remediation is often preferred due to minimal site disturbance, safety, simplicity, and cost-effectiveness. The effectiveness
of in-situ remediation technologies depends largely on the contaminant chemistry and subsurface heterogeneities (including
particle-scale heterogeneities such as fine-grained soils, soils with reactive minerals, and/or soils rich in organic matter
as well as macro-scale heterogeneities such as irregular soil layers and/or lenses). Under such heterogeneous conditions,
integrated electrokinetic remediation technology has great potential. As a safe and economical remedial option for so many
contaminated sites, the application of integrated electrokinetic remediation offers enormous public health, environmental,
and financial benefits. |
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