Widespread contamination of soil and groundwater by heavy metal ions such as cadmium, mercury, copper, and lead is a global problem and poses a significant hazard to the environment and human health. This Phase I project pursues the use of innovative, high-surface-area cathode materials for an in-situ electrolytic process to effectively and efficiently remove heavy metal ions from groundwater and soil. Testing will be on a laboratory scale to evaluate the capability of achieving maximum contaminant level (MCL) treatment of aqueous wastes. High-performance cathodes offer the potential of reaching very low (ppb) treatment residuals at lower costs than common water treatment processes (pump-and-treat with precipitation, adsorption, or membrane separation). The use of HSA electrodes in an in-situ electrolytic process promises notable technical, public, and regulatory benefits. The Phase I work will determine conditions of current density and flow rate for treatment of cadmium, mercury, and copper ions. It also will test simulated and real groundwater waste streams.
