Fractionation and the Removal of Arsenic-Contaminated Soils Around Dalchĕn Mine Using Soil Washing Process

This study has been carried out to examine the feasibility of soil washing process for reducing arsenic contamination level of soil around $Dalch\hat{e}n$ Mine. The results of physicochemical tests of the target soil showed that pH was weak alkalic ( $pH{\simeq}7.8$ ), soil texture was coarse sand, and organic contents (5.7%) and CEC (Cation exchange capacity; 21.5 meq/100 g) were similar with those of soils generally found in Korea. Contamination levels of arsenic were found to over 201 mg/kg which exceed the Korea standard levels of countermeasure and concern. To investigate chemical partitioning of heavy metals, sequential extraction procedures were adopted and it was found that arsenic was predominantly associated with the residual fraction among five fractional forms as much as over 85%, which is demonstrating that only less than 15% of all might be vulnerable to a selected washing agents. Among 6 kinds of washing agents applied on the screening for arsenic-contaminated soil, HCl and $H_3PO_4$ solution were selected as promising washing agents. In comparison with HCl and $H_3PO_4$ solutions for arsenic washing by kinetic experiment in the change of pH, soil-solution ratio, temperature, and washing solution concentration, $H_3PO_4$ solution was determined to best one of agents tested, which showed faster washing rate than HCl to accomplish regulatory goal.