Abstract

Electrochemical techniques are increasingly being employed for soil remediation and the detection of herbicides, pesticides, and heavy metals, with the goal of improving soil health. These methods rely on applying an external electric field to the soil, which alters its electrochemistry and enables the degradation or extraction of contaminants. The effectiveness of these processes often depends on the soil’s pH. Given the extensive use of herbicides, rapid electrochemical oxidation has become essential for mitigating their environmental impact. Advanced methods such as anodic oxidation, photoelectrocatalysis, and heterogeneous/homogeneous electro-Fenton processes have been developed for this purpose. Key mechanisms like electroosmosis and electromigration play a critical role in the electrochemical treatment of soil, enabling detailed investigation and optimization of these methods. This chapter reviews the effectiveness of electrochemical remediation in removing complex organic compounds (such as biochar) and heavy metals from soil, emphasizing the oxidation/reduction mechanisms involved. The chapter also addresses significant challenges, including soil degradation, high energy consumption, extended operational times, and the generation of secondary pollutants during treatment. While electrochemical techniques offer several advantages, such as precise control over reactions and the ability to target specific contaminants, they are limited by these challenges. Future directions in this field include improving the energy efficiency of electrochemical methods, developing more selective and sensitive reagents, and designing new electrodes and techniques for more effective and sustainable soil remediation. Expanding the use of electrochemical methods in environmental applications holds promise for overcoming current limitations and advancing soil decontamination practices.