A treatment train is the combination of different treatment technologies. A system diagram of a common treatment train for inorganics is illustrated below. Metal contaminated soil is treated using the combination of electrokinetics and phytoremediation. Electrokinetics is used to remove metals from deep soil and ground water. A low density direct current is applied to mobilize charged species, causing ions and water to move toward the electrodes. Metal ions move toward the cathode, and anions move toward anode. Removal of metal contaminants at the electrode may be accomplished by electroplating at the electrode; precipitation or co-precipitation at the electrode; pumping of water near the electrode. Metals in the topsoil can be removed by phytoremediation. Metal ions are picked up by plant roots and accumulated into plant shoots and leaves.

Click on the different color areas to see detail profiles of the technologies involved.