Mechanism of remediation of U(VI) contaminated simulated soil by AC‐nHAP gel microsphere as PRB combined electrokinetic technology

Abstract

This study investigates the efficacy of activated carbon-nano-hydroxyapatite (AC-nHAP) gel microspheres, composed of sodium alginate and AC-nHAP, as permeable reactive barrier (PRB) fillers for electrokinetic remediation of uranium-contaminated soil. The optimum configuration with 3 g each of AC and nHAP achieved a uranium removal efficiency of 82.31%, surpassing pure electrokinetic remediation by 18.15%. The porous structure of the microspheres facilitated uranium immobilization via complexation, precipitation, and adsorption mechanisms, effectively reducing the leaching toxicity to 0.068 mg/L. These findings underscore the potential of AC-nHAP gel microspheres as PRB fillers in enhancing the efficacy of EK remediation for heavy metal-contaminanted soil.