Performance evaluation of one dimensional electrokinetic barrier subjected to saltwater intrusion: A laboratory scale study
Authors :- Sutar A.A., Rotte V.M.
Publication :- Materials Today: Proceedings, Volume 80, Part 2, 2023, Pages 972-980
Climate change is posing a serious threat to the planet and the degradation of groundwater quality is one of its aspects. Many rural areas around the world still lack access to clean drinking water. On the other hand, increase in urbanization, changes in industrial and agricultural activity, and tourism development in coastal areas have pushed the extraction of groundwater resources to their limits. One of the main issues faced by coastal community is the intrusion of saltwater into fresh groundwater aquifers due to overuse of coastal freshwater supplies. In this direction the electrokinetic barrier can prove to be a feasible solution for preventing saltwater intrusion. The main goal of this research is to create an electrokinetic barrier that allows salt water to flow while reducing the concentration of Na + and Cl- ions in order to achieve better quality water that meets drinking and/or irrigation standards. This paper describes laboratory scale experimental research that was undertaken to study the efficacy of electrokinetic barrier for minimizing salt water intrusion. A one-dimensional electrokinetic barrier constructed of metal electrodes has been established to capture sodium and chloride ions. Experiments on the effect of salt concentration, voltage, electrode material, electrode spacing, and soil particle size on barrier efficiency have been conducted. Water from pumping wells from upstream and downstream of the electrokinetic barrier was tested for electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and pH. Electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids of pumping well samples are much greater in the control test than in the electrokinetic remediation tests. With increasing salt content and particle size, E. C. and T. D. S. values rises. The efficiency of the electrokinetic barrier increases with increasing voltage until it reaches 2.5 V, at which point it decreases. Electrokinetic remediation works best with graphite and stainless steel electrodes. In electrokinetic remediation of saltwater intrusion, the location of the electrokinetic barrier is critical. The system must be kept at a safe distance from the saltwater source in order to function properly. Electrokinetic barrier have shown to be a sustainable method for prevention of saltwater intrusion.