Opportunities of electrokinetics for the remediation of mining sites in Biga peninsula, Turkey

Abstract

This study investigated the geological conditions of Biga Peninsula. There are metamorphic rocks, ophiolitic melange, plutonic rocks, subvolcanics, volcanic rocks and volcanoclastics along with marine and terrestrial sediments in the region. This variety of rocks and the associated minerals resulted in many interesting metallic ores and coal for commercial exploitation. The mining exploitations in Biga Peninsula (Turkey)pose an environmental risk due to the release of contaminants, metals and arsenic, to the soil and waterbodies. This study analyzed the potential release of As and metals (Al, Fe, Mn)from a sediment sampled in a mine pond. The extraction column tests proved that those contaminants can be dissolved from the sediment using deionized water as eluent. The electrokinetic treatment of the sediment was able to remove Al and Mn, but the removal of Fe and As was negligible. The fractionation of As and metals in the sediment confirmed that the electrokinetic treatment was able to mobilize the contaminants. Based on the results of this study, it has been hypothesized that the toxic elements could be removed by electrokinetics using facilitating agents, neutralizing the alkaline environment of the cathode and increasing the treatment time.