REMEDIATION OF SOIL CONTAMINATION CAUSED BY BRICK INDUSTRY USING ELECTROKINETIC TECHNIQUE: A CASE STUDY OF A BRICK FACTORY IN AL-NAHRAWAN AREA IN IRAQ

Abstract

In this thesis, polluted soil with heavy metals (Pb, Cd, V, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cr) and S is being treated to remove the pollutants from it by the electrokinetic methods. The experimental setup consisted of electrodes placed in the soil and connected to electric power source. Twelve experiments were conducted. The following parameters were studied: the type of electrode, voltage, distance between the electrodes, and the use of electrolytes. The removal rates of heavy elements by electrokinetic method differed from one experiment to another, but they proved to be effective in removing pollutants from the soil. The electrokinetic process was found to be a successful process to reduce the concentration of soil contaminants including heavy metals (Pb, Cd, V, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cr) and S, when using stainless steel and graphite electrodes. The best electrode for removing Pb, Cd, Cr and S was found to be the graphite electrode, while the best electrode to remove V, Zn, Cu and Ni was stainless steel.