Use of multimedia environmental goals to evaluate potentially hazardous trace elements in the drainage from high-sulfur coal preparation wastes

Technical Report · Thu Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:5273197

Wewerka, E M; Williams, J M; Wagner, P

Multimedia Environmental Goals (MEGs) have been used to evaluate hazardous trace elements in the drainage from high-sulfur coal preparation wastes from the Illinois Basin. Potential contaminants have been evaluated using the Minimum Acute Toxicity Effluents (MATEs) criteria established by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Wastes from three Illinois Basin cleaning plants were collected and analyzed for trace element composition and mineral content. Leaching studies on these materials revealed that potentially hazardous trace elements could be released if the element were present in the coal refuse in large amounts initially or if the element existed in a form that was readily leachable. The trace element makeup of the leachates is described and compared to a MATE value for each element with compensation for dilution by surface or ground waters for each element. Using these criteria, the trace elements identified as released from coal preparation wastes in potentially hazardous concentrations are Al, As, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn. The implication is that control technologies to prevent the release of these trace elements or to treat the effluents from coal waste piles are needed.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5273197
• Report Number(s): LA-9189-MS; ON: DE82014115
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ALUMINIUM
ARSENIC
BERYLLIUM
CADMIUM
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
COAL
COAL PREPARATION PLANTS
COBALT
CONTROL
COPPER
DISPERSIONS
DISSOLUTION
DRAINAGE
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
IRON
LEACHATES
LEACHING
LEAD
MANGANESE
MATERIALS
METALS
MIXTURES
NICKEL
POLLUTION CONTROL
SAFETY STANDARDS
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLID WASTES
SOLUTIONS
STANDARDS
SULFUR CONTENT
TAILINGS
TRACE AMOUNTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WASTES
ZINC