Extractive Decontamination of Copper-Polluted Soils Using TCAS

Thiacalix[4]arenetetrasulfonate (TCAS) was investigated as an extractant for decontaminating copper-polluted soils with elevated total copper (2000mg/kg) from the national field research station of Shenyang agroecosystems. Batch experiments were performed to test the factors influencing remediation of copper-polluted soil. The effects of solid-liquid ratio, the ionic strength and temperature on the removal capacities of copper by TCAS reagent had been studied. The results showed that the TCAS reagent was effective for removal of copper from the contaminated soil, the optimum solid-liquid ratio was 1:10 for soil treatment. Adding Ca(NO 3 ) 2 was of no advantage for copper removal, and the effect of Ca(NO 3 ) 2 on the removl rate was less when its molarity was less than 0.1mol/L. The optimum temperature of TCAS for soil treatment was 5°C-25°C.