Chromium clean-up

Scientists at Brighton University have developed a new way to treat chromium VI contaminated soil that could save industry and developers millions of pounds.

It involves placing contaminated soil in a specially kitted-out industrial skip, placing two arrays of iron electrodes at opposite ends of the skip and applying a low-intensity electric current.

The toxic chromium VI contaminant in the soil moves in response to the electric field and is transformed to low-toxicity chromium (III), and together with iron derived from the sacrificial electrodes, the chromium is effectively locked within an 'iron curtain' that can be subsequently removed.

The low-energy method is called Ferric Iron Remediation and Stabilisation (FIRS) and has been developed by Dr Laurence Hopkinson and Prof Andy Cundy at Brighton University's School of Environment and Technology.

They have developed the system for commercial use on chromium VI and other metallic contaminants in collaboration with Churngold Remediation, although the system can be applied to a much wider range of problem pollutants.