Release of chromium from soils with persulfate chemical oxidation

Abstract

An important part of the evaluation of the effectiveness of persulfate in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) for treating organic contaminants is to identify and understand its potential impact on metal co-contaminants in the subsurface. Chromium is a redox-sensitive and toxic metal the release of which poses considerable risk to human health. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of persulfate chemical oxidation on the release of chromium from three soils varying in physical-chemical properties. Soils were treated with unactivated and activated persulfate [activated with Fe(II), Fe(II)-EDTA, and alkaline pH] at two different concentrations (i.e., 41 mM and 2.1 mM persulfate) for 48 h and 6 months and were analyzed for release of chromium. Results show that release of chromium with persulfate chemical oxidation depends on the soil type and the activation method. Sandy soil with low oxidant demand released more chromium compared to soils with high oxidant demand. More chromium was released with alkaline pH activation. Alkaline pH and high Eh conditions favor oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI), which is the main mechanism of release of chromium with persulfate chemical oxidation. Unactivated and Fe(II)-activated persulfate decreased pH and at low pH in absence of EDTA chromium release is not a concern. These results indicate that chromium release can be anticipated based on the given site and treatment conditions, and ISCO system can be designed to minimize potential chromium release when treating soils and groundwater contaminated with both organic and metal contaminants.