Electro-enhanced remediation of radionuclide-contaminated groundwater using zero-valent iron

The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate electrochemically-e nhanced immobilization of radionuclides in contaminated groundwater using F e-0. A bench-scale flow-through Fe-0 reactor column with direct current was tested to increase the efficiency and effective life of the Fe-0 medium by (i) providing an external supply of electrons, (ii) controlling the rate o f iron oxidation, and (iii) enhancing the rate of radionuclide immobilizati on. The removal mechanism appears to be reductive coprecipitation of radion uclides by iron oxidation by creating a reducing environment in the reactiv e iron barrier. Several factors influence the removal of radionuclides from groundwater using this reactor column including electrode configuration, a pplied voltage, distance between cathode and anode, and radionuclide concen tration.