Metallic iron for environmental remediation: Back to textbooks

Abstract

The use of metallic iron as environmental remediation medium was based on an incorrect interpretation of experimental observations. Since then, faced with seemingly contradictory data, researchers have substantially revised their models but controversial reports are still current, suggesting that a substantial revision is unavoidable. This communication analyses redox processes in Fe0/H2O systems and demonstrates that the current paradigm even contradicts textbook knowledge on aqueous iron corrosion that was available before the advent of the Fe0 technology. Accordingly, the use of metallic iron for environmental remediation should be regarded as a classical case where scientists are entrenched in a false paradigm. An immediate correction is recommended before a questionable ‘novelty’ is transferred into standard textbooks.