Unique method of ash disposal can benefit marine life

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988 · Solid Waste and Power; (USA)

OSTI ID:7247552

Roethel, F J; Breslin, V T ^[1]

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1. State Univ. of New York, Stony Brook (USA)

As more communities turn to waste-to-energy facilities to help solve their solid waste disposal problems, the amount of ash created by these facilities increases. Incineration of solid waste produces particulate residues which are often rich in lead, cadmium, copper, and zinc because of the concentration which occurs as a result of reduction. It has been shown that such metals can sometimes be leached from ash residues, giving rise to special concerns that incineration ashes be disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner. In urban coastal areas where landfills are few and increasingly distant, ocean disposal of stabilized incineration residues (SIR) may provide an acceptable alternative to current landfill practices. In May 1985, a research program was initiated at the Marine Sciences Research Center to examine the feasibility of utilizing SIR for artificial reef construction in the ocean. Results of these studies showed that particulate incineration residues could be combined with cement to form a solid block possessing physical properties necessary for ocean disposal. The stabilized residues were subjected to regulatory extraction protocols, and in no instance did the metal concentrations in the leachates exceed the regulatory limits for toxicity. Bioassays revealed no adverse effects on the phytoplankton communities exposed to elutriate concentrations higher than could be encountered under normal disposal conditions. The success of the laboratory studies resulted in securing the necessary permits for the placement of an artificial habitat constructed using SIR in coastal wasters. Results from this program are described.

• OSTI ID: 7247552
• Journal Information: Solid Waste and Power; (USA), Vol. 2:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
ASHES
MARINE DISPOSAL
RESOURCE RECOVERY FACILITIES
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
CEMENTS
COMBUSTION
CONSTRUCTION
HABITAT
LEACHING
METALS
MUNICIPAL WASTES
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
REEFS
SOLID WASTES
STABILIZATION
TOXICITY
BUILDING MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DISSOLUTION
ELEMENTS
ENERGY FACILITIES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
OXIDATION
RESIDUES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
TESTING
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING PLANTS
WASTES
320604* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Municipalities & Community Systems- Municipal Waste Management- (1980-)