Highlights
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Acid-washed zero-valent iron and zero-valent aluminum were used in PRBs.
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The time that removal efficiencies of heavy metal were above 99.5% can keep 300 h.
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Removal mechanism of Cr(VI), Cd2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ was discussed.
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Heavy metal ions were removed by reduction, adsorption, and co-precipitation.