Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing inorganic compounds from a section of soil. By regulating an electric voltage applied between two or more electrodes (1, 2) disposed in the section of soil (3) to values equal or below the electrokinetic point (61), inorganic compounds are electrochemically modified in situ in such a manner that they are electrokinetically mobilized and can be directly deposited on the electrodes (1, 2). According to the invention, the electrokinetic point (61) is adjusted and reached by applying a voltage to the electrodes (1, 2) and controlling it, once, after passing a first current/voltage zone (62) of a first gradient, a second current/voltage zone (63) of a second gradient that is smaller than the first gradient is reached.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for sterilizing microorganisms and/or decomposing organic and inorganic pollutants in a region of ground soil by passing a specified direct current through the contaminated soil region with a controlled voltage applied between at least one pair of electrodes incorporated into the ground soil. For decomposition of the organic and inorganic pollutants, it is postulated that the applied electric field increases the natural capacitance of the individual soil particles to over capacitance sufficient to cause the soil particles to discharge electrons. This electric discharge, in turn, provides the reaction energy to promote the redox reactions which effects decomposition of the pollutants. The voltage is preferable controlled to optimize the amplitude and frequency of the electric discharges emitted by the soil particles which have become subject to over capacitance.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for sterilizing microorganisms and/or decomposing organic and inorganic pollutants in ground soil and ground water by means of a specified direct current applied between at least one pair of electrodes incorporated into the ground soil. For decomposition of the organic and inorganic pollutants, soil particles of the contaminated ground soil are polarized by a voltage applied to the electrodes, or already polarized soil particles are additionally polarized by the applied artificial electric field. The applied electric field is preferably aligned with the natural electric field of the soil particles. The increased polarization of the soil particles causes processes of cathodic reduction at the negatively charged interfaces of the soil particles and simultaneously causes processes of anodic oxidation at the positively charged interfaces of the soil particles.