Solubility and Fractionation of Different Metals in Fly Ash of Powder River Basin Coal

Coal is one of the major sources of fuel for electricity production and will continue to be used for many more decades. Thus, it is important to study the effects of disposal of coal burning byproducts including fly ash into the environment. In this study, the solubility of cations and anions from the fly ash in water is discussed. Also, the fractionation of different metals from fly ash in water is studied to understand which fraction of the metals would likely be mobilized. The results from these studies suggested that the metals in the fly ash are bound mostly to carbonate, organic, and residual fractions. Also, when water solubility data are modeled with a geochemical model (Visual MINTEQ), the saturation index predictions suggested that brucite (Mg(OH)₂) and calcite (CaCO₃) could potentially precipitate and mineralize the atmospheric CO₂. Such mineralization process could potentially reduce the leaching of toxic metals from fly ash. Results from this study will be helpful in understanding the fate of different metals from fly ash land disposal environments.     

Studies on the Phase Mineralogy and Leaching Characteristics of Coal Fly Ash

The phase mineralogy and leaching characteristics of some Indian coal fly ashes were studied to assess their safe disposal in abandoned coal mines. Since, fly ash contains a number of toxic trace elements, the leaching of fly ash was tested using strong acid/alkali solutions and distilled water under different conditions (solid-liquid ratio, leaching time, pH) in the temperature range of 30-100 °C. It was found that the concentration of various metals in leachates depends on their chemical nature, association with mineral phases of ash and follows the almost similar concentration profile to that of iron, especially in acidic medium. The distribution of toxic trace elements in fly ash and their leachability were found to depend on the amount of unburnt carbon and iron in fly ash. In alkaline medium, leaching of iron and toxic trace elements (except As) from fly ash was very negligible. Hence, alkali treatment of coal fly ash is desirable for its safe use in refilling of coal mines.     

Effects of Fly Ash pH on the Uptake of Heavy Metals by Chicory

Chicory was cultivated in a pot experiment using two soils of different pH. Treatments were NPK, fly ash (pH 8) + NP and fly ash (pH 12) + NP, respectively. Another series of pots received heavy metals in soluble form additionally to the described treatments. It was observed that fly ash causes generally a decrease in Zn, Cd, Ni and Cu concentrations of chicory. The reduction occurs both for the metals naturally present in the soil and, to a greater extent, for those added as salts. This effect is more evident when fly ash at pH 12, rather than that at pH 8, was used. The increase of soil-pH through the fly ash addition is the major factor decreasing heavy metal availability. It was observed that potassium originating from fly ash is not available for crop uptake.     

粉煤灰的特性及其农业利用

参阅有关文献,本文在对粉煤灰的物理、化学特性剖析的基础上,综合论述了粉煤灰资源农业利用的现状,包括粉煤灰的改土培肥效应、粉煤灰的增产效果、粉煤灰对土壤中重金属含量及生物有效性的影响、磁化粉煤灰及粉煤灰复混肥的应用前景、粉煤灰资源农业利用的环境效应评价等,同时也指出了粉煤灰农用的潜在问题     

降雨因子对粉煤灰产流产渣的影响

为研究降雨因子对粉煤灰产流产渣的影响,揭示粉煤灰产流产渣的规律,采用径流小区定位观测试验,研究雨季期粉煤灰径流小区在自然降雨条件下的产流产渣特征。结果表明:(1)观测期内总降雨量为1 160.0mm,侵蚀降雨量为720.7mm,7月份降雨、侵蚀降雨均最多,分别为409.6mm和217.1mm,暴雨的侵蚀降雨量最大,为280.1mm;(2)7月份产流产渣最多,3个小区的产流产渣量分别为0.72,1.06,0.67m~3和0.30,0.90,0.21kg,暴雨的产流产渣量最大,分别为0.62,1.02,0.73m~3和0.16,0.57,0.15kg,降雨量大于50mm的降雨产流产渣量最多,分别为0.79,0.98,0.53m~3和0.17,0.72,0.15kg,雨强大于40mm/h的降雨产流产渣量最多,分别为0.82,1.06,0.76m3~和0.21,0.87,0.19kg;(3)降雨量、I30、降雨侵蚀力与产流产渣显著相关,径流量受降雨量影响最大,产渣受降雨侵蚀力影响最大,受降雨历时的影响都最小。产流产渣与降雨量、I_(30)、降雨侵蚀力均呈多项式关系,产流与降雨历时呈线性关系,产渣与降雨历时线性关系不明显。随着降雨的持续,粉煤灰产流产渣也随之增加,侵蚀降雨量、降雨侵蚀力对其影响尤为明显。研究成果利于贮灰场粉煤灰流失的预防和治理,为贮灰场的生态恢复提供参考。     

A Seasonal Assessment of the Impact of Coal Fly Ash Disposal on the River Yamuna,Delhi. I. Chemistry

The impact of fly ash on the chemistry of the River Yamuna was studied. By-products from a 200 MW capacity I.P. thermal power station on the west bank of the River Yamuna, Delhi are largely from coal combustion (fly ash) and are disposed of as a slurry to off-site ash ponds. Many elements associated with fly ash are soluble and become available to the biota. A two-year survey was made of the seasonal variations in limnochemical features in the non-impacted and the impacted segments of the river receiving fly ash effluent and the ash treatment ponds. Conductivity, TDS, DO, hardness, sulphate and nitrate increased significantly in the receiving waters over background values. The reverse was noticed for free CO₂, alkalinity and phosphate. Changes in some other parameters were insignificant. Fly ash effluents from the ash ponds significantly increased the concentration of some elements, viz., Al, Sb, Bi, Cd, Cr, Co, Li, Mn, Mo, K, Si, and Zn in river water. Generally, the highest concentration of most parameters were recorded in the ash ponds. This investigation was helpful in assessing the effect of wet ash disposal on the river limnology and understanding the solubility of various elements in the ash ponds.     

A Seasonal Assessment of the Impact of Coal Fly Ash Disposal on the River Yamuna,Delhi, II. Biology

The impact of fly ash on the biology of the Yamuna River, Delhi, was studied. Effluents come from a 200 MW capacity I.P. thermal power station. Seasonal variations in the biological features in the non-impacted (Y-1) and the impacted (Y-2) segments of the river receiving fly ash effluents were studied. 60 genera of phytoplankton including 29 Chlorophyceae, 19 Bacillariophyceae, 8 Cyanobacteria, and 4 Euglenophyceae were recorded. Phytoplankton diversity was reduced at the impacted site in comparison to the non-impacted site of the river and substantial changes in the composition of various groups inhabiting these areas were observed. Zooplankton were also reduced at Y-2 compared to Y-1, especially rotifers and protozoans, while copepods and nauplii larvae were not affected to the same degree. Species diversity was not significantly different at Y-2 and Y-1 but similarity index varied from low to high between the two stations. Thus, not only was the density, number of genera and diversity reduced, even the generic composition of the plankton was markedly affected in the impacted waters. The observed perturbations could be due to sedimentation of ash particles, pH or elevated metal or salt concentration. A change in the concentration of one or more constituents disturbs the relationship between biota and could be the possible cause of reduced densities in the impacted waters.     

粉煤灰对污染土壤中铜镉的稳定化

采用批衡量吸附和室内培养实验,考察了粉煤灰对Cu和Cd的吸附等温线及0.2%、0.5%、1%和2%用量的粉煤灰对土壤pH、有效态Cu和Cd、以及5种化学形态Cu和Cd分布的影响。结果表明:粉煤灰对Cu和Cd的吸附等温线均可以用Langmuir和Freundlich方程进行拟合,其对Cu的最大吸附量(9.90 mg/g)高于对Cd的最大吸附量(9.43 mg/g)。随着粉煤灰用量的增加,土壤pH显著增加,有效态Cu和Cd显著降低。同时,粉煤灰处理显著降低了离子交换态Cu和Cd含量,增加了铁锰氧化物结合态Cu和Cd含量,降低了Cu和Cd活性,使活性态Cu和Cd逐渐向潜在活性态和非活性态转化。其中培养60天后,2%处理的粉煤灰处理较对照pH提高了0.44个单位,离子交换态Cu和Cd分别降低了35.7%和35.9%。因此,粉煤灰能够有效吸附Cu和Cd,显著降低土壤有效态和离子交换态Cu和Cd的含量,在重金属稳定化修复应用中具有较好的应用前景。     

Fractionation and Distribution of Metals in Guadiamar River Sediments (SW Spain)

Traditionally, the Guadiamar River (Seville, Southwest Spain) has received pollution from two different sources, in its upper section, from a pyrite exploitation (Los Frailes mine) and, in its lower section, from untreated urban and industrial wastes and from intensive agricultural activities. In 1998, the accidental spillage of about 6 million m³ of acid water and sludge from mine tailings to Guadiamar River worsened the pollution of an already contaminated area. The main polluting agents of the spillage were heavy metals. The total concentration of a metal provides scarce information about the effects on environmental processes or about the toxicity of the sediment samples. A more sophisticated fractionation of the sediment samples based on a species distribution can help to understand the behaviour and fate of the metals. This article describes a distribution study of the metals Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn by fractionation analysis of sediments from eleven sample sites alongside the Guadiamar Riverbed. The samples were collected in summer 2002, four years after the spillage and after the area had been cleaned. Sequential extraction analysis resulted in the definition of four fraction categories: exchangeable metal (the most available fraction), reducible metal (bound to hydrous oxides of Fe and Mn), oxidizable metal (bound to organic matter and sulphides) and a residual fraction (bound to minerals). Significant increases in the available fraction of several potentially toxic metal ions like Cd, Mn and Zn were found. The distribution pattern was variable along the River. At the site closest to the mineworks, the soluble forms of Cd, Mn and Zn were significantly more abundant that those downstream. Cu and Pb were present in the reducible fraction while Fe was present associated in the residual fraction.     

不同措施下粉煤灰产流产渣研究

利用径流小区观测法,对裸露、覆表土撒播草灌、撒播草灌3种处理的粉煤灰在自然降雨条件下的产流产渣进行定量分析,研究不同降雨条件下产流产渣的特征,并对不同措施进行效益评价。结果表明:(1)观测期内总降雨量为1 635.3mm,总降雨历时为791.09h,降雨集中在4—9月,降雨量为1 160mm,累积降雨侵蚀力达到7 216.22(MJ·mm)/(hm~2·h),占全年的92.41%。7月降雨量最大,达到409.60mm,平均雨强为4.61mm/h,I30最大到67.2mm/h;降雨以大雨、暴雨为主,降雨量达828.9mm,占50.69%。(2)产流产渣集中在4—9月,3种措施产流量分别为1.67,2.27,1.49m~3,产渣量分别为0.39,1.39,0.33kg,7月产流产渣最多,分别为0.72,1.06,0.67m~3和0.30,0.90,0.21kg;3种措施暴雨的产流产渣量最多,分别为0.82,1.16,0.80m~3和0.19,0.62,0.17kg;(3)降雨量与产流产渣的相关性最大,其次为I30、再次为降雨侵蚀力,与降雨历时相关性最小。产流产渣与降雨量、I30呈多项式函数关系,与降雨侵蚀力呈线性关系,与降雨历时线性关系不明显,产渣与产流呈多项式函数关系。(4)覆表土撒播草灌小区产流量、产渣量、侵蚀总量均最大,分别为2.98m~3,1.59kg,31.81t/hm~2,裸露小区次之,分别为2.24m~3,0.54kg,18.23t/hm~2,撒播草灌小区最小,分别为2.98m~3,1.59kg,31.81t/hm~2。与裸露相比,撒播草灌后产流量减少14.73%,产渣量减少5.56%,侵蚀总量减少40.65%,撒播草灌对粉煤灰减流减渣效果明显。     

不同生物质灰渣填充密度下处理生活污水的效果研究

以生物质灰渣为研究对象,采用土柱淋溶模拟法,研究在不同生物质灰渣填充密度R1(0.3g/cm~3)、R2(0.35g/cm~3)、R3(0.4g/cm~3)下,生物质灰渣对生活污水中主要污染物即化学需氧量(COD)、总氮(TN)、氨氮(NH_3—N)、总磷(TP)的去除效果。结果表明:生物质灰渣对COD的去除率随着填料密度的增加先升高后降低,表现为R2(59.1%)R1(58.0%)R3(44.4%),其中R2处理效果明显优于R1和R3处理;R1、R2、R3对TN的去除率分别为84.8%,43.3%,26.1%,而对污水中氨氮的去除效果良好,去除率均达到97%以上;对污水中TP而言,3种密度下平均出水TP浓度分别为0.406,0.249,0.406mg/L,平均去除率大小为分别为R2(91.3%)R1(85.8%)R3(85.6%),去除效果较好。在试验后期由于被吸附的磷被释放出来,故对污水中TP的去除效果并不明显,但R2处理效果仍优于其他2种处理。总体而言,生物质灰渣可有效去除污水中COD、TN、NH_3—N和TP,其中NH_3—N和TP的除去率均在85%以上,生物质灰渣填料密度为0.35g/cm~3的处理效果最好。     

Evaluation of Cocomposted Coal Fly Ash on Dynamics of Microbial Populations and Heavy Metal Uptake

Vicia faba, in a pot experiment with sandy and clayey soils under greenhouse conditions, was checked for growth response to different amendments with coal alkaline fly ash or cocomposted fly ash mixed with lignocellulosic residues. Soil microbial populations, pH and electrical conductivity as well as heavy metal uptake by plants were monitored. At rates of five and ten percent (on a dry matter basis) in both soils, neither fly ash alone nor cocomposted fly ash exerted any negative effect. Plant biomass production was not influenced in either clayey or sandy soil. Alkaline fly ash did not promote microbial growth when applied alone to the soils. However, cocomposted fly ash generally increased bacterial and actinomycetes counts in both soils. Fungi were not affected by ash. Due to the increase of soil pH by alkaline fly ash or cocomposted fly ash, plant uptake of heavy metals was depressed in the sandy soil. Heavy metal mobility did not cause change in the clayey soil where a high buffering capacity mitigated the effects of fly ash amendments.     

Broiler Litter Ash and Flue Gas Desulfurization Gypsum Effects on Peanut Yield and Uptake of Nutrients

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) requires calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P). Flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGDG) and broiler litter ash (BLA) could be used as Ca and P fertilizer for peanuts. A pot study was conducted to determine the effects of BLA and FGDG on peanut yield and nutrient uptake compared to superphosphate (SP). Peanut kernel yields were 13.5 greater with BLA compared to SP. Kernel Ca concentration was 29% and P was 17% lower in in plants grown on the BLA compared to SP. Because of the high Ca content of the amended soil no significant difference was observed when FGDG was added. Micronutrients in kernel fertilized with BLA and FGDG were similar to superphosphate. The small difference in kernel Ca and P and the low levels of metals in the tissue between the BLA and SP demonstrate that BLA could be used as P source for peanuts.     

Instrumental Determination of Trace Metals in Fly Ash by INAA and AAS Techniques and its Statistical Analysis

For low-level detection of elements in an environmental sample, a number of techniques is available. However, satisfactory evaluation of the results by comparing the techniques is difficult. An attempt has been made in this study to analyse fly ash samples collected from a major coal fired power plant by two different techniques, viz. INAA and AAS, to determine elemental concentrations. A statistical approach was formulated and the experimental data was subjected to Wilcoxon sign rank test, paired ‘t’-test and linear regression analysis. The results confirm the hypothesis that ‘no significant difference exists between the two techniques’.     

Enzyme Activities in a Sandy Soil Amended with Sewage Sludge and Coal Fly Ash

Previous studies showed that coal fly ash could stabilize sewage sludge by reducing metal availability, but fly ash may cause an adverse effect on soil microbial activities. Therefore, an experiment was performed to evaluate the effects of amendment of soil with anaerobically digested dewatered sewage sludge, stabilised with alkaline coal fly ash, on soil enzyme activity and the implications for soil nutrient cycling. Sewage sludge was amended with 0, 5, 10, 35 and 50% w/w of fly ash, and then the ash-sludge mixtures were incubated with a sandy soil at 1:1 (v/v). Dehydrogenase activity decreased with an increase in fly ash amendment level and the time of incubation. Soil receiving 5% ash-sludge amendment had a higher dehydrogenase activity than other treatments. Soil receiving 10% ash-sludge mixture had the highest urease activity and in general, urease activity decreased with increasing incubation time. Phosphatase activity was the highest at 5% ash-sludge mixture amended soil and no general trend was observed with time. Water-soluble Zn, Mn and Cu contents were suppressed by the addition of fly ash. The present experiment indicated that addition of 10% ash-sludge mixture should have a positive benefit on the activity of soil microorganisms, N and P nutrient cycling, and reduce the availability of heavy metals.     

Effects of High Rates of Coal Fly Ash on Soil,Turfgrass, and Groundwater Quality

A field study (1993–1996) assessed the effects of applying unusually high rates of coal fly ash as a soil additive forthe turf culture of centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiroides).In addition, the quality of the soil and the underlying groundwater was evaluated. A Latin Square plot design was employed to include 0 (control, no ash applied), 280, 560, and 1120 Mg ha^-1 (mega gram ha^-1, i.e., tonne ha^-1)application rates of unweathered precipitator fly ash. The onceapplied fly ash was rototilled and allowed to weather for 8 months before seeding. Ash application significantly increasedthe concentrations in plant tissue of B, Mo, As, Be, Se, and Bawhile also significantly reducing the concentrations of Mg, Mn,and Zn. The other elements measured (i.e., N, K, Ca, Cu, Fe, Ag,Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Tl, Na, and Al) were not affected. Of these elements Mg, Cu, and Mo concentrations in plant tissue increased with time while B and Se decreased temporally. The diminution of B and Na appears to be related to the leaching ofsoluble salts from ash-treated soils. Of all the elements measured, only Mn produced significant correlation (p = 0.0001) between the tissue and soil extractable concentrations. Ash treatment elevated the soil pH to as high as 6.45 with theenhanced effect occurring primarily in the 0–15 cm depth. Soilsalinity increased with the application rate with the largestincreases occurring in the initial year of application. However,by the second year, most of the soluble salts had already leachedfrom the treatment zone into deeper depths, and by the fourthyear, these salts had completely disappeared from the profile.The chemical composition of the underlying groundwater was notadversely impacted by the ash application. Plant tissue and groundwater data however, indicate that much higher rates of fly ash can be used on this type of land use where the plant species is tolerant of soil salinity and does not appear tobioaccumulate potentially toxic trace elements.     

Changes in Thermophilic Bacteria Population and Diversity during Composting of Coal Fly Ash and Sewage Sludge

The thermophilic bacteria in compost made from coal flyash-amended sewage sludge were isolated and identified using theBiolog system to investigate the effect of coal fly ash on thethermophilic decomposition of sewage sludge during composting. Atotal of 8 species of Bacillus were isolated from thecompost and Bacillus brevis was the dominant speciesduring the entire composting process. The present resultsdemonstrate that the Biolog system is a fast and simple methodfor identifying bacterial species in compost, provided thatoptimum conditions could be achieved for the Bacillusculture. Adding coal fly ash as an amendment did not change thedominant bacteria species during composting, but decreased thepopulation and diversity of thermophilic bacteria species due tothe high alkalinity and salinity. Fewer thermophilic bacteriawere detected in ash-amended sewage sludge compost than insludge compost. There was also reduced metabolic activityobserved in the ash-amended sludge compost from the data ofCO₂ evolution and weight loss. Although ash amendmentdemonstrated a negative effect on the population and diversityduring thermophilic phase, it did not cause any significanteffect on compost maturity.     

The Accumulation of Boron in Agropyron elongatum Grown in Coal Fly Ash and Sewage Sludge Mixture

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to investigate the boron (B) release capacity of coal fly ash and sewage sludge mixtures, and the accumulation of B in Agropyron elongatum after two consecutive growing seasons. Sludge was amended with fly ash at application rates of 0, 5, 10, 35, and 50% (w/w), and each mixture was then mixed with a loamy soil at either 1:1 or 1:5 (v/v). Both water soluble B (WS-B) and hot water soluble B (HWS-B) increased with increasing fly ash amendment rate. Shoot B concentrations also increased significantly according to the rate of ash amendment. The ash-sludge mixture improved plant growth with the highest total dry weight yield at 10% ash amendment rate. Boron toxicity symptoms in leaf tips were observed at 35% and 50% ash amendment rate at both soil mixing ratios. Hot water soluble B and WS-B decreased significantly after consecutive cropping of Agropyron especially at low ratio of mixure with soil i.e., 1:5 (v/v). However, soil available B contents at ≥ 35% ash application rate and 1:1 (v/v) soil mixing ratio were still excessive for normal plant growth, suggesting that deleterious effects on plant growth would be experienced in later seasons owing to the high amounts of residual B.     

金沙江干热河谷不同类型植被改良土壤效应研究

选择云南省金沙江于热河谷典型地段，以土壤理化特性和土壤入渗特征为指标，对不同类型植被蓝桉乔木林和扭黄毛草被的改良土壤效应进行了研究。结果表明：(1)乔木林和草被都有良好的改善土壤物理性能、化学特性和土壤入渗能力的效应，且对上层土壤的改良效果好于下层。(2)对土壤物理性能的改良乔木林优于草被，0-50cm土层乔木林地和草地上壤容重分别比荒地低15．5％和10．9％，总孔隙度高15．4％和15．3％。(3)草被对土壤化学特性的改良优于乔木林，0—50cm土层乔木林地和草地的有机质含量分别比荒地高24．8％和32．3％，全N含量高23．2％和42．9％。不同植被覆盖对P素和K素的调节作用不明显。(4)改善土壤入渗性能的作用草被优于乔木林，乔木林地和草地的稳渗率分别比荒地高27．4％和88．4％，120min的入渗总量分别高5．7％和30．1％。研究结果还显示，霍顿下渗方程较好地反映了云南元谋干热河谷不同地类的土壤入渗过程及其变化。