Electrokinetic-bioremediation process in action

Mercury Rising: Can Electrokinetics and Bacteria Clean Up Contaminated Soil?

Reese Marlowe in Climate & Environment December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A Deep Dive into Innovative Techniques for Removing Mercury from Landfill Soils Using Electrokinetic Remediation and Bioremediation"

Landfills pose a significant environmental challenge, acting as major sources of contamination due to harmful bacteria and heavy metals. Mercury, a particularly toxic heavy metal, can infiltrate soil, posing risks to both human health and the environment. Traditional methods of soil remediation often fall short, prompting the exploration of innovative techniques that can effectively remove or neutralize these contaminants.

Electrokinetic-Bioremediation (EK-Bio) emerges as a promising solution, merging the principles of electrokinetics and bioremediation. This approach leverages electrical fields to mobilize contaminants within the soil, while simultaneously employing microorganisms to degrade or transform these substances into less harmful forms. By combining these processes, EK-Bio offers a synergistic effect, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of soil cleanup efforts.

Recent research has focused on optimizing EK-Bio techniques for mercury removal, investigating the potential of specific bacterial strains to facilitate this process. One such study, conducted by researchers at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, explores the application of Lysinibacillus fusiformis, a bacterium known for its ability to sequester mercury. This research aims to provide insights into the practical application of EK-Bio for addressing mercury contamination in landfill soils.

How Does Electrokinetic-Bioremediation Work?

Electrokinetic-bioremediation process in action

Electrokinetic-Bioremediation (EK-Bio) is an innovative approach that combines two powerful techniques: electrokinetics and bioremediation, for in-situ soil remediation. Electrokinetics involves applying a low-intensity direct current through the soil, creating an electric field that mobilizes charged contaminants. This electric field causes ions to migrate: positive ions (cations) move toward the cathode (negative electrode), while negative ions (anions) move toward the anode (positive electrode).

Bioremediation, on the other hand, uses microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, or plants) to degrade or transform pollutants into less toxic forms. In the context of EK-Bio, specific types of bacteria are introduced into the soil to target and break down the contaminants. These microorganisms enhance microbiological activities, accelerating the degradation of pollutants and reducing the overall content of heavy metals.

Setting the Stage: Landfill soil is mixed with deionized water to create a slurry, ensuring optimal conditions for electrokinetic and bioremediation processes.
Electrical Gradient: A controlled electrical gradient (50 V/m in this study) is applied across the soil using electrodes.
Bacterial Application: Lysinibacillus fusiformis bacteria are introduced at the anode reservoir, ready to migrate and remediate.
Contaminant Migration: The electric field drives mercury ions toward the cathode, while the bacteria work to break down the contaminants.
Monitoring and Analysis: The process is monitored over several days, with mercury levels measured to assess the effectiveness of the remediation.

The combination of electrokinetics and bioremediation offers several advantages. The electric field enhances the bioavailability of contaminants, making them more accessible to the microorganisms. It also helps to redistribute high concentrations of pollutants and desorb contaminants from the soil particles. This synergistic effect results in a more efficient and effective removal of mercury from contaminated soils.

The Future of Soil Remediation

Electrokinetic-bioremediation presents a promising path forward for addressing mercury contamination in landfill soils. The research conducted by Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia demonstrates the potential of combining electrokinetics with specific bacterial strains like Lysinibacillus fusiformis to achieve significant mercury removal. This innovative approach offers a sustainable and efficient solution for cleaning up contaminated sites, paving the way for a greener and healthier future. As research continues to refine and optimize these techniques, EK-Bio holds the key to transforming contaminated lands into safe and productive environments.

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Everything You Need To Know

What is Electrokinetic-Bioremediation (EK-Bio) and how does it work to clean up contaminated soil?

Electrokinetic-Bioremediation (EK-Bio) is an innovative soil remediation technique that combines electrokinetics and bioremediation. Electrokinetics uses an electric field to move charged contaminants within the soil, with positive ions (cations) moving towards the cathode and negative ions (anions) moving towards the anode. Bioremediation employs microorganisms, like bacteria, to degrade or transform pollutants. In the EK-Bio process, the electric field enhances contaminant bioavailability, making them accessible to the microorganisms like Lysinibacillus fusiformis, which then break down the pollutants. This combined approach results in efficient mercury removal from contaminated soils.

What are the key advantages of using Electrokinetic-Bioremediation over traditional soil remediation methods for mercury contamination?

EK-Bio offers several advantages over traditional methods. The application of an electric field enhances the bioavailability of contaminants like mercury, making them more accessible to the microorganisms. It also helps redistribute high concentrations of pollutants and desorb contaminants from soil particles. This synergistic effect, combining the mobility enhancement of electrokinetics with the degradation capabilities of bioremediation, leads to more efficient and effective mercury removal. Traditional methods often fall short because they may not address the contaminants' bioavailability or the complex nature of mercury's interaction with the soil matrix.

How does the bacterium Lysinibacillus fusiformis contribute to the Electrokinetic-Bioremediation process?

Lysinibacillus fusiformis plays a crucial role in the EK-Bio process by actively sequestering mercury. This bacterium is introduced into the soil, often at the anode reservoir. It then interacts with mercury ions that are mobilized by the electric field. The bacteria work to break down the contaminants, which enhances microbiological activities. This process reduces the overall mercury content in the soil, making it less harmful to the environment and human health. The study from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia focuses on this bacteria to validate the application of EK-Bio in mercury contaminated sites.

Can you describe the step-by-step process of how Electrokinetic-Bioremediation is implemented in soil remediation, using the example mentioned in the article?

The EK-Bio process, as demonstrated in the study, involves several key steps: Firstly, landfill soil is mixed with deionized water to create a slurry. Secondly, a controlled electrical gradient (50 V/m in the study) is applied across the soil using electrodes. Thirdly, Lysinibacillus fusiformis bacteria are introduced at the anode reservoir. Fourthly, the electric field drives mercury ions towards the cathode, while the bacteria work to break down the contaminants. Finally, the process is monitored over several days, with mercury levels measured to assess the effectiveness of the remediation. The interplay between the electrical field and the bacterial action is key to the process's success.

What is the future of soil remediation, according to the research on Electrokinetic-Bioremediation, and what potential does it hold?

The future of soil remediation looks promising, particularly with the advancements in EK-Bio techniques. Research, such as that conducted by Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, demonstrates the potential of combining electrokinetics with specific bacterial strains like Lysinibacillus fusiformis for significant mercury removal. This innovative approach offers a sustainable and efficient solution for cleaning up contaminated sites, paving the way for a greener and healthier future. As research continues to refine and optimize these techniques, EK-Bio holds the key to transforming contaminated lands into safe and productive environments, allowing for the effective management of landfills and their environmental impacts.