Long-term leaching of As, Cd, Mo, Pb, and Zn from coal fly ash in column test

Author(s)

Lange, C. N. ^[1] ; Flues, M. ^[2] ; Hiromoto, G. ^[2] ; Boscov, M. E. G. ^[3] ; Camargo, I. M. C. ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed ABC, CCNH, Av Estados 5001, BR-09210580 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

^[2] IPEN CNEN SP, Inst Pesquisas Energet & Nucl, Av Prof Lineu Prestes 2242, Cidade Univ, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Escola Politecn, POLI USP, Av Prof Almeida Prado, Travessa 2, BR-05508970 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT; v. 191, n. 10 OCT 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Globally, millions of tons of coal fly ash (CFA) are generated per year, and the majority of this material is usually stored in stock piles or landfills, and in a long-term, it can be an environmental hazard if rainwater infiltrates the ashes. Long-term leaching studies of Brazilian ashes are scarce. The purpose of this study was to evaluate arsenic, cadmium, molybdenum, lead, and zinc leaching behavior from a Brazilian CFA by a column experiment designed to simulate field conditions: slightly acid rain considering seasonality of precipitation and temperature for a long-term leaching period (336 days). All elements were leached from CFA, except lead. Elements leaching behavior was influenced by leaching time, leaching volume, and temperature. Higher leachability of As and Cd from CFA during warm and wet season was observed. Results indicate a potential risk to soil and groundwater, since ashes are usually stored in uncovered fields on power plants vicinity. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/06775-6 - Arsenium, Cd, Mo, Pb and Zn mobility and transport in contaminated tropicals soils columns with coal ash of Figueira Coal Power Plant, Paraná
• Grantee: Iara Maria Carneiro de Camargo
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants