Modeling EDTA enhanced electrokinetic remediation of lead contaminated soils

Electrokinetic extraction has been tested for lead removal from Algerian contaminated soils. For this purpose, a chelating reagent (EDTA, 0.1M) has been injected into the catholyte. This procedure is expected to enhance the process by desorption of the contaminant and formation of new mobile species negatively charged. A mathematical model based on Nernst-Planck theory has also been developed to predict the evolution of lead distribution across the soil as a function of time. The results of several experiments carried out on various duration (10, 20 and 40 days) have shown the importance on treatment efficiency of pollution age and contaminant speciation as determined by sequential chemical extraction.