Electrokinetic model used for the treatment of soils polluted with heavy metals

Electroseparation of zinc from two soils samples by using of a laboratory installation, in which metal is accumulated in a supported tuff layer, is presented in this paper. Optimum parameters for the treatment of soil-supported tuff systems by electroremediation process were: voltage 25 V, current 48-69.5 mA, pH 2.1-3.8 at anode and 5.5-6.5 at cathode, pH of supported tuff 5.4-6.5, samples humidity 29-31.5%. Efficiencies for zinc retaining in supported volcanic tuff mass from soil sample containing 186 mg/kg d.s., were 65-72.3%, after 72 hours. Analysis of metal concentrations evolution versus time, showed the existence of a homogeneous electromigration process.