Title: Evaluation of sodium lignosulphonate for the remediation of chromium-contaminated soil and water

Authors: Konstantin Volchek; Carl E. Brown; Dario Velicogna

Addresses: Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment Canada, 335 River Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H3, Canada ' Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment Canada, 335 River Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H3, Canada ' Velicogna Consultants Inc., 51 Kinnear Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 3R7, Canada

Abstract: Commercial sodium lignosulphonate, a by-product of sulphite pulp leaching, was evaluated for the remediation of soil and water contaminated with hexavalent chromium. Two series of bench-scale tests were performed: (a) removal of chromium from water using reagent binding and membrane separation; and (b) stabilisation of chromium in the soil using chemical soil flushing. Water treatment tests were performed in a batch mode in stirred ultrafiltration cells. The test results revealed that lignosulphonates can bind hexavalent chromium and facilitate its removal from water when used in conjunction with ex-situ water treatment (membrane filtration). Soil treatment tests carried out in a column revealed that lignosulphonates reduced chromium mobility and helped stabilise it within the soil matrix. These tests showed that lignosulphonate fixation can be used to stabilise chromium in soil with in-situ treatment (soil flushing).

Keywords: chromium removal; water pollution; remediation; soil contamination; lignosulphonates; ultrafiltration; soil stabilisation; sodium lignosulphonate; sulphite pulp leaching; reagent binding; membrane separation; chemical soil flushing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISD.2013.056945

International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, 2013 Vol.7 No.3, pp.289 - 302

Published online: 02 Oct 2013 *

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