Concentration of copper and a copper-EDTA complex at the pH junction formed in soil by an electrokinetic remediation process

The formation and stability of a pH junction was investigated, and the precipitation and accumulation of a metal hydroxide at the pH junction was confirmed. Moreover, the possibility that metal ions could be accumulated as a Me-EDTA complex at the pH junction was demonstrated. As a result, the pH junction where the acidic and alkali fronts of soil meet and the pH of soil changes rapidly, appeared at the 0.6 position in the EK process for 6-12 h. Copper ions accumulated in the form of copper hydroxide. EDTA was also concentrated in the position, in general agreement with the position of the pH junction. In addition to copper hydroxide, a copper-EDTA complex was concentrated at the 0.6 position from the anode after EK treatment for 12 h. The copper-EDTA complex was retained in 0.7 position from the anode after 12 h and, after 24 h, the position shifted to 0.8-0.9 from the anode. The possibility of accumulating metal ions within a narrow area, such as a pH junction was demonstrated.