

This paper examines the delivery of nanoscale zero valent iron particles (nanoiron) under different electric potentials for the remediation of a low permeable kaolin soil spiked with pentachlorophenol (1000 mg/kg of dry soil). Bench-scale electrokinetic experiments were conducted using nanoiron suspension (50-300 nm particle size; 5 g/L and 10 g/L concentrations) in the anode and applying different electric potentials (1 and 2 VDC/cm). The iron concentrations in the soil increased with increased nanoiron concentration from 5 g/L to 10 g/L in the experiments conducted with 1 VDC/cm voltage gradient for a total duration of 427 hours. The iron concentrations in the soil were further increased with higher voltage gradient (2 VDC/cm)increased operating duration (938 hours). As the testing progressed, the transport of nanoiron particles was limited by their aggregation, settlement and partial oxidation within the anode. The electrical current and electroosmotic flow were higher in the experiments conducted with 1 VDC/cm as compared to that of experiments with 2 VDC/cm, possibly due to the combined effects of faster acidification of the soil and rapid oxidation of nanoiron particles under higher voltage gradient. PCP was partially reduced (40-50%) in all of the experiments. PCP was completely reduced near the cathode due to abiotic reductive dechlorination within the cathode. Improved strategies are needed to prevent aggregation, settlement and oxidation of nanoiron particles for enhanced remediation of PCP in soils.