Dynamic metal speciation analysis for selecting the remediation strategy of an industrial polluted site

Dynamic metal speciation analysis in soil, by diffusive gradient technique, is emerging as a powerful basis for development of predictions of bioavailability and a reliable risk assessment strategy. A given speciation sensor is characterized by an effective time scale or kinetic window that defines the measurable metal species via their labilities. Scope of the present work is to estimate the possibilities offered from this new technique in guiding the choices of intervention in the remediation of a polluted site. Laboratory tests, on samples coming from the area with the highest concentration of Nichel of a dismissed galvanic industry, are presented. The information obtained from the diffusive technique have been used in order to evaluate different solutions of soil washing. The obtained efficiencies of removal showed good relation with the lability of Nichel estimated by means of the diffusive technique.