(1) METEA Research Centre, University of Bari, Via Celso Ulpiani 27, , 70126 Bari, Italy;(2) INCA, Unit of Bari, METEA Research Centre, University of Bari, Via Celso Ulpinai 27, 70126 Bari, Italy
Abstract:
Mechanical energy has been used so far for running chemical reactions and for preparing new materials in absence of solvents. Very recently, the technology has been applied to solve environmental problems. In this paper, we describe the application of high-energy milling (HEM) for the remediation of soils contaminated by chlorinated organic compounds such as polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) and agrochemicals like atrazine. NaBH4 and LiAlH4 have been successfully used for the total dehydrohalogenation of both classes of compounds, leaving a residue lower than 2 ppmw of the starting compound in the treated soil. LiAlH4 was found to be more active than NaBH4.