Clays and Clay Polymer Composites for Electrokinetic Remediation of Soil

Electrokinetic decontamination is a promising technology that removes heavy metals, radionuclides, and organic pollutants from soils, sludges, and sediments as well as groundwater. Electrokinetic processes are particularly significant for remediating fine-grained, low-permeability contaminated soil, like clay. This innovative, cost-effective, in situ (mostly) technology for environmental remediation and protection takes advantage of the conductive properties of soils by using a low electric field to remove chemical species from the soil. This chapter explains the fundamental aspects of clay soils followed by modification technologies such as using additives like polymeric substances to enhance the factors that affect the efficiency of the electrokinetic (EK) process.