Influence of Electrokinetic Process on Compressibility Behaviour of Salt Affected Soils

The improvement of salt affected lands is a major environmental challenge in arid and semi arid regions all over the world. Electrokinetic treatment is one of the environmentally friendly and cost-effective methods that can be used in reclamation of saline soils. In this study, the effect of electrokinetic remediation (EKR) on compressibility characteristics of fine-grained salt affected soils was investigated. The soil samples were subjected to the following applied voltage gradients of 1, 2 and 3 V/cm during 7 days, followed by oedometer tests to evaluate the soil consolidation parameters. The obtained results are presented and discussed regarding to the variation of applied potential on compressibility characteristics of the treated soil samples. Experimental results show that each of compressive index and swelling index decreases with increasing the voltage, whereas preconsolidation pressure increase. These variations were attributed to water flow between electrodes and migrations of salt cations toward the cathode. Moreover, EKR demonstrates changes in soil pH as a result of electrolyse soil reactions. This research reveals that the use of EKR using direct current improves compressibility characteristics of saline soils involving a short time period. This process proves that it can be successful to soil remediation for civil engineering use.