Phytoremediation and the electrokinetic process: Potential use for the phytoremediation of antimony and arsenic

Abstract

Remediation of soils contaminated with metals and/or metalloids is of special importance due to the increasing number of mining activities or, on the other hand, to their closing which will produce environmental residues. Phytoremediation has been extensively used to rehabilitate soils with this type of contamination, but it can face some limitations like bioavailability of contaminants. Electrokinetic (EK) process is a physico-chemical remediation technology that relies in the application of a low-intensity direct current to improve mobilisation of contaminants. This chapter encloses an overview of both technologies applied in separate and together, discussing its potential, limitations and future perspectives. The suitability of EK-assisted phytoremediation in the remediation of a mine soil from China contaminated with arsenic and antimony is also briefly discussed.