Electrokinetic Remediation Technique: An Integrated Approach to Finding New Strategies for Restoration of Saline Soil and to Control Seawater Intrusion

Many applications of electrokinetic remediation have focused on the removal of heavy metals. However, the application of electrokinetic technology in salt removal from contaminated soils and groundwater has not been extensively explored. Given the current global challenge and the impact of soil and groundwater salinity, it is tempting to suggest that the research community should apply this technology to generate in-depth knowledge for determining the feasibility and efficiency of electrokinetic remediation in salt removal, particularly in addressing seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers, which is creating growing challenges in the freshwater supply, mainly in coastal and arid regions, in view of growing populations, economic and industrial growth, and climate change. This Review shows that there is a need to begin formulating a knowledge base about categories of materials, efficiencies, and limitations. Furthermore, the viability of this technology in the real field suggests a need to gain more insight into electrokinetic applications in this area. The versatility of electrokinetic remediation in different settings is demonstrated in this Review, as is its capability to address diverse remediation challenges. The available literature is critically assessed; novel and improved electrokinetic remediation and the important trends in this field are outlined. The Review aims to summarize the evolution and current status of electrokinetic remediation research with a view of starting a debate around the possibility of applying it as a pretreatment mechanism to control seawater intrusion.