Effect of improved electrokinetic remediation treatments on the mobility and removal of metals in sediment | Uticaj unapređenih tretmana elektrokinetičke remedijacije na mobilnost i uklanjanje metala u sedimentu

This work includes: 1. An investigation into efficiency of various electrokinetic treatments (a conventional treatment, and treatments with changing polarity, two anodes and two-dimensional hexagonal electrodes) without the addition of agents to the treated sediment, for the removal of metals; 2. An investigation of the influence of discontinuous (off during the night) and oscillating power supplies on the application of solar panels and their effect on the efficacy of the treatment; 3. A study on the influence of sediment geochemistry, physico-chemical changes in the system and the characteristics of the pollution present (metals speciation and concentration) on the efficiency of the electrokinetic process; 4. A risk assessment of the sediment/water system before, during and after the treatment; 5. Mathematical modelling of the results obtained. Based on the risk assessment and the efficiency of the electrokinetic treatments in the Veliki Backa canal sediment, it was concluded that the best remediation option was a two anode treatment using solar panels (e9). The investigation into the influence of treatments using discontinuous (off during the night) and oscillating power supplies showed they did not have a significant impact on the efficiency of the process. Sediment geochemistry was shown to have a strong influence, determining the physical and chemical changes that occur in the sediment during the implementation of the electrokinetic remediation. The key to success for these treatments is the retention of metals in the fractions (carbonate and reducible) which more easily migrate. It is concluded that the mathematical model can be applied to successfully predict thechanges in the concentration of metals without experimentation, which is of crucial importance for future studies.