Sulfate Reduction for Remediation of Gypsiferous Soils and Solid Wastes

Construction and demolition debris (CDD) and gypsiferous soils contain elevated concentrations of sulfate which can cause several environmental and agricultural problems. Reduction of the sulfate content of CDD and gypsiferous soils is an option to overcome these problems. This study aimed to develop sulfate removal systems either by biological or chemical processes to reduce the sulfate content of CDD and gypsiferous soils in order to decrease the amount of solid wastes and to improve the quality of CDD and soils for recycling purposes or agricultural applications. The treatment concept leaches the gypsum contained in the CDD by water. The sulfate containing leachate is further treated and reused in the leaching step. A mixture of cheap organic materials can be utilized as electron donor for the biological sulfate reduction step, especially in gypsiferous soils treatment. The sulfide containing effluent from the bioreactor can be removed by electrochemical sulfide oxidation system.