Electro-Kinetic Removal of Heavy Metals from Contaminated Soil Using Palm Date Vinegar and Fibers

Abstract

Soil pollution by heavy metals is a worldwide problem and in Iraq in particular. Electro-kinetic remediation (EKR) is one of the modern technologies that can give a great promise for the cleaning of heavy metals contaminated soils. Iraq is the first country in palm trees numbers, date production, dates processing and thousands of tons of wastes are disposed each year. This work includes: First, conducting of an ex-situ EKR pilot study to evaluate the effect of different pH-Adjusted tap water. Diluted HNO3 and NaOH reagents were selected to adjust the tap water samples, to reach the required pH values, pH of 4, 6 and 8, and then used as electrode purging solutions to find out the optimum conditions for better lead removal efficiency. Second, studying the use of Iraqi dates vinegar (IDV) as a new, inexpensive, eco-friendly and effective alternative purging solution. Third, testing the ability of date palm fibers (DPV) as a low cost, available and eco-friendly reverse osmosis preventer.

Among tap water samples, the results showed that tap water of pH 4 has given the highest lead removal efficiency. In this pH (pH 4), Vinegar was more efficient in lead removal than tap water of same pH; 79.5 and 76.0 %, respectively. However, it could be concluded that the use of  both dates Vinegar and date palm Fibers, as two available low cost and eco-friendly materials in Iraq, have successfully improved the lead removal process in the Electro-Kinetic Remediation Reactor; by increasing the lead removal efficiency (%R) to about 80%.

Keywords: Electro-Kinetic, Lead Removal, Soil Remediation, Date Vinegar, Palm Fibers.