Remediation of Cr(VI)-contaminated soil using combined chemical leaching and reduction techniques based on hexavalent chromium speciation.

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] has strong mobility and it can enter into deep regions of soil. Cr(VI)-contaminated soil remediation is the process of removing Cr(VI) present in deep soils and any residual Cr(VI). In this study, the Cr(VI)-contaminated soil in Chongqing was investigated, and the remediation and economic feasibility of chemical leaching and reduction combined with a soil repairing approach was explored. The results showed that the leaching reagent, liquid-solid ratio, leaching time, reduction agent dosage, reduction temperature and reduction time had significant (P < 0.05) effects on the remediation of Cr(VI). At 0.02 mol/L oxalic acid and citric acid using a liquid-solid ratio of 5:1 and leaching time of 45 min, the removal rate of Cr(VI) was 62.7%, the residual Cr(VI) in soil was 126 mg/kg, and the soil pH was 4.09 after leaching. Between 25 and 90 °C, and at a molar ratio of 25:1 of FeSO4•7 H2O to Cr(VI), the reduction rate of Cr(VI) in soil after reduction was 54.0-98.4%, and the leaching concentration of Cr(VI) in soil was 0.01-0.29 mg/L. The optimal reduction was at 90 °C for 60 min, resulting in only 2.7 mg/kg of residual Cr(VI) in soil. The cost of this technology to treat the area studied was 826 ¥/ton of soil, which represents an economically feasible method for Cr(VI)-contaminated soil remediation.