ABSTRACT

Metals, radionuclides and other inorganic contaminants are among the most prevalent forms of environmental contaminants, and their remediation in soils and sediments is rather a difficult task [1]. Sources of anthropogenic metal contamination include smelting of metalliferous ore, electroplating, gas exhaust, energy and fuel production, the application of fertilizers and municipal sludges to land, and industrial manufacturing [1,3]. Heavy metal contamination of the biosphere has increased sharply since 1900 [4] and poses major environmental and human health problems worldwide [5]. Unlike many organic contaminants, most metals and radionuclides cannot be eliminated from the environment by chemical or biological transformation [6,7]. Although it may be possible to reduce the toxicity of certain metals by influencing their speciation, they do not degrade and are persistent in the environment [8]. The various conventional remediation technologies used to clean heavy metal-polluted environments are soil

in situ

vitrification, soil incineration, excavation and landfill, soil washing, soil flushing, solidification, and stabilization electrokinetic systems. Each conventional remediation technology has specific benefits and limitations.