Surface speciation modeling of heavy metals in kaolin: implications for electrokinetic soil remediation processes

Abstract. The driving mechanisms for flux occur at interface between the soil particles and solution during electrokinetic soil remediation and the nature of this interface affects the electrokinetic response of the system. The pH-dependent adsorption of heavy metal contaminants by kaolin and the sensitivity of kaolin zeta potential to the aqueous phase properties are two important aspects that complicate the metal movement during electrokinteic soil remediation. This paper addresses these aspects and presents an electrostatic adsorption model that describe