In situ Fenton remediation for diesel contaminated clayey zone assisted by thermal plasma blasting: Synergism and cost estimation

Thermal plasma blasting technology has been widely applied for rock cracking. Though, the application for environmental remediation has yet to be reported. Since the delivery of remediation agents into diesel contaminated clayey zones are exceptionally challenging, herein, this study explores the effect of pilot-scale thermal plasma blasting for soil fracturing and concurrently dispersing the Fenton reagent into the diesel contaminated silty soils. Six times plasma blasting with sole H2O2 at 20 kV had the highest degradation of diesel (>97%) with an equilibrium time of 3 h, and the final diesel concentration was below the South Korean regulated health standard (500 mg kg−1). This study highlights plasma blasting able to deliver H2O2 instantaneously and homogeneously into contaminated zone while promoting Fenton reaction synergism (fsyn: 2.04) between H2O2 and ≡Fe surface for effective remediation. Furthermore, the remediation cost (USD 4 metric ton−1) is much lower than most reported in situ technologies. [Display omitted] •First time applying plasma blasting in soil treatment application.•Plasma blasting assist delivery of Fenton reagent into clayey soil.•Solely ≡Fe2+ minerals are sufficient to active Fenton reaction.•Synergistic effect between plasma and Fenton reaction.•Comparatively lower cost (USD30) than conventional treatment.