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COMBINED SIEVING AND WASHING OF MULTI-METAL-CONTAMINATED SOILS USING REMEDIATION EQUIPMENT: A PILOT-SCALE DEMONSTRATION
Li, Y., X. Liao, and W. Li.
Journal of Cleaner Production 212:81-89(2019)

A combined sieving and washing process was piloted-tested to remediate heavy metals at a historically-contaminated site. Lab results showed that the optimum parameters for the washing process were a pH of 2, a temperature of 30°C, and a 10:1 liquid/soil ratio. The results from field remediation proved that the method could reach an overall removal of 37.1-51.1% As, 44.3-78.1% Cd, 21.2-64.3% Pb, and 29.2-59.4% Zn in various particle fractions. To prevent secondary pollution, coagulating sedimentation and adsorption processes were used to treat the wastewater, with removal rates of 99.4% As, 99.9% Cd, 93.5% Pb and 99.1% Zn. A composite material was adopted to solidify the fine clay that was enriched with a large amount of metals and form it into non-fired bricks. Based on the mass balance, 23 kg of stone and 140 kg of gravel were separated, and 367 kg of fine clay with a 45% soil moisture content was treated by solidification and stabilization, achieving a volume reduction of ~36.5%. The method reduced contamination in soils while minimizing the environmental risk.



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