Use of Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron for Remediation of Clayey Soil Contaminated with Hexavalent Chromium: Batch and Column Tests

Cleomar Reginatto, Iziquiel Cecchin, Karla Salvagni Heineck, Antonio Thomé and Krishna R. Reddy
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Cleomar Reginatto: Graduate Program of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Passo Fundo, BR 285, km 292, Campus I, Passo Fundo, RS 99001-970, Brazil
Iziquiel Cecchin: Environmental Engineering Undergraduate Course, University of Passo Fundo, BR 285, km 292, Campus I, Passo Fundo, RS 99001-970, Brazil
Karla Salvagni Heineck: Graduate Program of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Osvaldo Aranha, 99 Porto Alegre, RS 90035-190, Brazil
Antonio Thomé: Graduate Program of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Passo Fundo, BR 285, km 292, Campus I, Passo Fundo, RS 99001-970, Brazil
Krishna R. Reddy: Department of Civil and Materials Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 842 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60607, USA

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-9

Abstract: This study investigated the reduction of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in a clayey residual soil using nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI). Five different ratios between nZVI and Cr(VI) were tested in batch tests (1000/11; 1000/23; 1000/35; 1000/70, and 1000/140 mg/mg) with the soil. With the selected proportion resulting best efficiency, the column tests were conducted, with molded specimens of 5 cm in diameter and 5 cm in height, with different nZVI injection pressures (10, 30, and 100 kPa). The soil was contaminated with 800 mg/kg of Cr(VI). The Cr(VI) and Cr(III) analyses were performed following the USEPA 3060A and USEPA 7196A standards. The results show that the reduction of Cr(VI) is dependent on the ratio between nZVI and Cr(VI), reaching 98% of efficiency. In column tests, the pressure of 30 kPa was the most efficient. As pressure increased, contaminant leaching increased. The permeability decreased over time due to the gradual increase in filtration and formation of oxyhydroxides, limiting nZVI mobility. Overall, nZVI is efficient for soil remediation with Cr(VI), but the injection process can spread the contaminated if not properly controlled during in situ application.

Keywords: soil remediation; nanotechnology; nanoscale zero-valent iron-(nZVI); hexavalent chromium-Cr(VI) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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