Electrodialytic remediation of harbour sediment in suspension - Evaluation of effects induced by changes in stirring velocity and current density on heavy metal removal and pH

Electrodialytic remediation was used to remove heavy metals from a suspension of dredged harbour sediment. The studied metals Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd are normally strongly bound in anoxic sediment. Six electrodialytic laboratory remediation experiments were made, lasting 14 days and under oxic conditions.

The influence on the metal removal was investigated by changing current densities and stirring velocity of the sediment suspension. Using a current density of 1.0 mA/cm2 gave the highest metal removal. The sediment suspension was partly oxidised when mixed into a suspension for the electrodialytic remediation experiments and was further oxidised during the experiments.

Even at low stirring velocities, oxic conditions were obtained. The metal removal was dependent on the achieved pH in the sediment and the highest metal removal and corresponding low pH was obtained by using a current density of 1.0 mA/cm2 and a stirring velocity of the sediment suspension of 1000 rpm.

The highest removal obtained was 98% Cd, 78% Zn, 65% Pb and 44% Cu after 14 days of remediation. The metal removal was more dependent on the stirring velocity than on the current density. When manually stirring the sediment suspension or using a stirring velocity of 60 rpm the sediment deposited, which led to a slightly higher pH in the sediment and keeping all the sediment in suspension is essential for a successful remediation.