Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
6477326 | Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering | 2017 | 6 Pages |
A small-scale flow-through limestone column was used to evaluate the effect of common coexisting organic and inorganic compounds on the electrochemical dechlorination of trichloroethylene (TCE) in karst media. Iron anode was used to produce ferrous ions and promote reducing conditions in the column. The reduction of TCE under 90 mA current, 1 mL minâ1 flow rate, and 1 mg Lâ1 initial TCE concentration, was inhibited in the presence of humic acids due to competition for direct electron transfer and/or reaction with atomic hydrogen produced at the cathode surface by water electrolysis. Similarly, presence of 10 mg Lâ1 chromate decreased TCE reduction rate to 53%. The hexavalent chromium was completely reduced to trivalent chromium due to the ferrous species produced from iron anode. Presence of 5 mg Lâ1 selenate decreased the removal of TCE by 10%. Chromium and selenate complexation with dissolved iron results in formation of aggregates, which cover the electrodes surface and reduce TCE dechlorination rate. Presence of 40 mg Lâ1 nitrates caused reductive transformation of TCE up to 80%. Therefore, TCE removal is influenced by the presence of other contaminants that are present as a mixture in groundwater in the following order: humic acid, chromate, selenate, and nitrate.