ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the ability of gravity separation and leaching processes in combination to remediate a lead contaminated firing range. Lead particles were physically separated from the soil matrix by breaking up the agglomerated material. The hydrocyclone was used to prepare the fine tailings or slimes fraction from the classifier as an acceptable feed for the Knelson bowl concentrator. The first phase of the treatability studies conducted on the Fort Dix, Twentynine Palms, and Miramar soils included deagglomeration, particle sizing, and gravity separation while determining contaminant distribution. The second phase included vat and agitation leach, attrition scrubber, and hydrocyclone tests on selected samples from the first phase. Vat leaching of soil usually is carried out in a specially designed roll-off bin or container in which the leach solution percolates down or flows up through the soil.
