Contribution to the remediation of saline soils by electrokinetic process: Experimental study

Abstract

Salinization affects ecosystem biodiversity, human health, agricultural productivity, as well as engineering and construction infrastructure. In Algeria, many arid, semi-arid, and near-coastal areas are suffering from soil salinization for more than two decades. In order to restore contaminated soils (saline), the electrokinetic process was tested in laboratory to study the mobility, migration, and elimination of ions (salts) in the soils of two regions of Mostaganem and Relizane (north-west of Algeria). The electrokinetic method is one of the most promising fine-grained soil decontamination processes. In this work, the variation of the electric current, the electro-osmotic flow, the pH, and the rate of elimination of the cations, such as sodium and calcium according to the treatment duration, were determined. According to the results obtained, the electrokinetic treatment proves to be a new technique used successfully, reliably, and inexpensively. It allows the remediation and restoration of fine-grained soils affected by salts. Our research demonstrates the economic and environmental value and the efficiency of electrokinetic technology, which is an innovative process. It deals very effectively with the depollution and remediation of saline soils and helps to inhibit the scourge of soil salinization and environmental pollution.