1.

Electrochemical recycling of EDTA after soilwashing

The invention relates to the process "Electrochemical recycling of EDTA after soil washing” for remediation of toxic metals and radionuclides contaminated soils and sediments with washing solution of ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA). Toxic metals are removed from soils or sediments into the washing solution by forming insoluble complexes with EDTA. The process according to invention enables electrochemical recycling of EDTA in the spent washing solution using electrolytic cell with sacrificial aluminum (Al) anode in alkaline conditions. During the process Al exchange toxic metals from EDTA complexes by forming AlEDTA complexes, while toxic metals are removed from the solution by electroprecipitation as insoluble hydroxides or by electrocoagulation. After pH adjustment the washing solution with recycled EDTA retain metal extraction capacity and can be used for further removal of toxic metals from contaminated soils or sediments. University of Ljubljana licensed the novel process to the company Envit Ltd.

F.09 Development of a new technological process or technology

COBISS.SI-ID: 6497913

2.

Washing of metal contaminated soil in a closed process loop

Soil washing with chelatning agents is known to be an effective means of removing toxic metals from contaminated soils. Bio-degradable chelating agents and advanced oxidation methods to chemically degrade chelating agents were used to develop remediation technologies for soil washing in a closed process loop.

D.09 Tutoring for postgraduate students

COBISS.SI-ID: 743799

3.

Ivermectin toxicity assesment with earthworm avoidance test

Total concentration of contaminant in soil does not necessary relate to its actual toxicity and hazard for humans and environment. Earthworm avoidance test was used to assess biological accessibility of pollutants in soil.

D.10 Educational activities

COBISS.SI-ID: 6276985

4.

The effect of stabilization amendments on the functional recovery of industrially polluted soil

Different soil amendments efficiently reduced toxic metal bio-acessibility and plant uptake, while in thesame time the soil physical, chemical and biological properties and soil functionality (assessed by measuring specific soil enzyme activities) were not affected or reduced.

B.03 Paper at an international scientific conference

COBISS.SI-ID: 6731641

5.

Electrochemical EDTA recycling with sacrificial Al anode for remediation of Pb contaminated soil

A sacrificial Al anode and stainless steel cathode in a conventional electrolytic cell at pH 10 efficiently removed toxic metals from the solution, leaving chelant in active Al-EDTA form.