Electrode Configuration for Electrokinetic Restoration of Greenhouse Saline Soil

Abstract

Electrokinetic restoration (EKR) of saline soil has been achieved successfully on a laboratory scale. In this study, the effectiveness of an electrokinetic system with one anode in the center of the electrokinetic cell and two cathodes at the end of the cell was investigated to simulate the EKR system, with electrodes installed in the ridge and furrow pattern of a field. Anions were transported toward the anode centered in the cell, and cations were moved toward both cathodes. Chloride and nitrate were almost completely removed from the soil; however, a certain amount of sulfate accumulated in the anode region. Although the voltage influenced the transport of salts in the soil, there was no significant increase in the reduction of electrical conductivity at a higher voltage gradient. The pattern of salt removal was symmetric around the center anode, and energy consumption was less than that of a normal system. This means that the system can be used effectively to remove salts from saline greenhouse soil.