Influence of operational parameters on electro-Fenton degradation of organic pollutants from soil.

The combination of the Fenton's reagent with electrochemistry (the electro-Fenton process) represents an efficient method for wastewater treatment. This study describes the use of this process to clean soil or clay contaminated by organic compounds. Model soil of kaolinite clay polluted with the dye Lissamine Green B (LGB) was used to evaluate the capability of the electro-Fenton process. The effects of operating parameters such as electrode material and dye concentration were investigated. Operating in an electrochemical cell under optimized conditions while using electrodes of graphite, a constant potential difference of 5 V, pH 3, 0.2 mM FeSO(4). 7H(2)O, and electrolyte 0.1 M Na(2)SO(4), around 80% of the LGB dye on kaolinite clay was decolorized after 3 hours with an electric power consumption around 0.15 W h g(-1). Furthermore, the efficiency of this process for the remediation of a real soil polluted with phenanthrene, a typical polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, has been demonstrated.