Prospects on integrated electrokinetic systems for the decontamination of soil polluted by organic contaminants

Abstract Overall, investigations about the utilization of electrokinetic technology alone or in combination with other processes have attracted particular attention in recent years for remediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals and organic compounds. This fact is due to its peculiar benefits together with its capability of operating in a fine and low-permeability matrix. This review aimed to ascertain the most recent developments on the commonly proposed integrated technologies (electrokinetic soil washing, electrokinetics coupled with permeable reactive barriers, electrokinetic-advanced oxidation processes, and bioelectrokinetic remediation), by evaluating the gaps, challenges, and trends of these systems in the last years. Special attention is paid to the current approaches for overcoming the main bottlenecks of electrokinetics concerning scale-up and reduction of electric energy consumption by integration of renewable energies.