Remediation of solid matrix containing anthracene and phenanthrene by permanganate oxidant

This paper reports on a systematic study of the degradation of anthracene and phenanthrene in sandy soil treated with an aqueous solution of KMnO₄. A kinetic model was developed based on the soil/solution ratio to predict the degradation rates of anthracene and phenanthrene. The degradation profiles achieved with the best dosage were also determined. The proposed model provided a reasonable prediction of acceptable residual contaminant concentrations. The oxidation efficiency was found to be higher than the value provided by the treatment in which the reduction of KMnO₄ to MnO₂ is considered to be the only reduction mechanism.