Electrokinetic (EK) remediation is a promising approach for the removal of heavy metals from fine-grained soils; however, its efficiency is often hindered by electrode polarization, pH imbalance, and ion accumulation. In this study, we developed a novel hydrogel-based electrode (NH electrode), composed of sodium alginate and multilayer graphene oxide (GO), to enhance the electrokinetic removal of Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ from loess. The electrode was systematically characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), confirming its structural integrity, electrochemical activity, and interfacial conductivity. The NH electrode exhibited a smooth layered graphene structure with abundant oxygen-containing functional groups (AFM), negligible electrochemical polarization (CV), and low internal resistance with high conductivity (EIS), enabling efficient ion transport and adsorption. Electrokinetic tests revealed that the NH electrode outperformed conventional graphene (Gr) and electrokinetic graphite (EKG) electrodes. Single regulation strategies, including focusing position adjustment and electrode exchange, improved local removal efficiency by mitigating ion accumulation in targeted regions. The combined regulation strategy, integrating both measures, achieved the most uniform Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ removal, significantly suppressing hydroxide precipitation in cathodic zones and enhancing ion migration in the mid-section. Compared with literature-reported systems under similar or even more favorable conditions, the NH electrode and combined regulation approach achieved superior performance, with Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ removal efficiencies reaching 47.25% and 16.93%, respectively. These findings demonstrate that coupling electrode material innovation with spatial–temporal pH/flow field regulation can overcome key bottlenecks in EK remediation of heavy-metal-contaminated loess.

Copper and lead contamination in loess areas poses a potential threat to soil environmental quality and sustainable land use, while the low permeability, high clay content, and strong buffering capacity of loess often limit the efficiency of conventional electrokinetic (EK) remediation. This study developed an enhanced EK system integrating novel hydrogel (NH) electrodes, a poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)-modified activated carbon/carbon fibre (MAC/CF) permeable reactive barrier (PRB), and a vertical voltage for the remediation of Cu- and Pb-contaminated loess. The effects of vertical voltage (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 V) on EK behaviour, contaminant migration, and removal performance were investigated. The results showed that the MAC/CF PRB improved electrical stability, enhanced electroosmotic transport, and regulated pH evolution by providing conductive pathways and reactive sites for OH⁻ capture and metal adsorption. Compared with the system without a PRB, the accumulated electroosmotic flow (EOF) increased from approximately 680 to 980 mL. The vertical voltage further promoted Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ redistribution into the PRB and enhanced the migration–adsorption coupling process. The optimal voltage of 30 V achieved the best remediation performance, with Cu and Pb removal efficiencies of 69–80% and 32–36%, respectively, within 72 h at initial concentrations of 500 mg kg⁻¹. Mechanistic analysis revealed that the vertical voltage transformed the MAC/CF barrier from a passive adsorption layer into an electrically activated migration–capture interface. The synergistic effects of ion transport regulation, OH⁻ buffering, conductive network construction, and heavy metal adsorption effectively suppressed precipitation-induced focusing and improved remediation efficiency. This study provides a promising strategy for enhancing EK remediation of low-permeability and structurally sensitive soils.

Taking a shield interval of Zhengzhou Metro Line 5 as the research object, relying on the actual engineering case of left and right double-lane shield superimposed on cutting cement soil group pile composite foundation under masonry structure, the response of upper masonry structure during shield construction is studied, as well as the analysis of shield cutting piles construction parameters. The results of the study show that the masonry structure is affected within about 30m (5.0 times the diameter of the tunnel) before and after the shield cut pile, and the shield cut pile construction leads to deflection and twisting deformation of the house around the central axis of the left and right lines of the tunnel. The combination of "Clay shock" grouting outside the shield shell and small conduit radial grouting, shield tail synchronous grouting and secondary reinforcement grouting can effectively weaken the disturbance of the shield construction to the ground. When the shield cut piles underpasses the masonry structure, the pressure on soil chamber, total thrust and cutterhead speed are controlled steadily, the cutterhead torque is reduced appropriately, and the slurry injection volume is increased, which is more conducive to controlling the settlement of the house.