title: Decontamination of metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from slag-polluted soil.
abstract: Metallurgy is an industrial activity that is one of the largest contributors to soil contamination by metals. This contamination is often associated with organic compound contamination; however, little research has been aimed at the development of simultaneous processes for decontamination as opposed to treatments to heavy metals or organic compounds alone. This paper presents an efficient process to decontaminate the soils polluted with smelting by-products rich in Cu, Zn and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). A simultaneous treatment for metals and PAHs was also tested. The process is mainly based on physical techniques, such as crushing, gravimetric separation and attrition. For the finest particle size fractions, an acid extraction with H2SO4 was used to remove metals. The PAH removal was enhanced by adding surfactant during attrition. The total metal removals varied from 49% to 73% for Cu and from 43% to 63% for Zn, whereas a removal yield of 92% was measured for total PAHs. Finally, a technical-economic evaluation was done for the two processes tested.
authors: Institut national de la recherche scientifique (Centre Eau, Terre et Environnement), Université du Québec, Québec, Canada.
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Bisone
authors: Institut national de la recherche scientifique (Centre Eau, Terre et Environnement), Université du Québec, Québec, Canada.
authors: Guy
authors: G
authors: Mercier
authors: Institut national de la recherche scientifique (Centre Eau, Terre et Environnement), Université du Québec, Québec, Canada.
authors: Jean-François
authors: JF
authors: Blais
mesh_terms: D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D008670:Metals / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013464:Sulfuric Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D013464:Sulfuric Acids; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; C033158:sulfuric acid