Factors that Limit the Applicability of Electrokinetic Technology

5 FACTORS THAT LIMIT THE APPLICABILITY OF ELECTROKINETIC TECHNOLOGY 

The electric current generates at the electrodes several products that can dramatically affect the electrokinetic treatment. The effect of water electrolysis is well known, but any type of enhancements by the addition of other chemicals should consider its potential for the generation of harmful/hazardous by-products. Byproducts can also be formed by certain undesirable reactions of the metal species with naturally occurring ions. Therefore, the selection of any chemical for pH control or for heavy metal complexing must consider the possible reactions upon the electrodes and into the soil with the pollutant or other components of the soil. 

A number of factors affect the development of metal species, especially in the field in the presence of naturally occurring ions, which in turn affect toe solubility of the contaminants and their desorption from the soil. Enhancement of the electrokinetic treatment with the chemical conditioning of the electrode solutions and/or the addition of chemicals to the soil aids in the extractabUity of heavy metals and in the 

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