Mobility in soil and plant availability of metals derived from incinerated municipal refuse

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00110a003· OSTI ID:6002384

Giordano, P M; Behel, Jr, A D; Lawrence, Jr, J E; Solleau, J M; Bradford, B N

Fly ash residues from several sites in which solid municipal refuse is being incinerated for energy production were found to contain excessive amounts of cadmium and/or lead according to an empirical extraction test (0.5 N acetic acid) developed by the Environmental Protection Agency. Samples of associated bottom ashes contained acceptable levels of Cd and Pb, but several were marginal with respect to Pb content. Leaching tests clearly demonstrated that Cd and, to a lesser extent, Pb content were mobile in soil when applied in a fly ash matrix. The high chloride content (10-12%), which is characteristic of these ashes, resulted in metal complexation and enhanced Cd and Pb mobility in soil. Normally these elements are relatively immobile in soils when applied as inorganic salts or contained in municipal sewage sludge. Plant uptake of Cd and Pb in a greenhouse test was marked when fly or finely ground bottom ashes were soil applied. Phytotoxicity of fly ash appeared to be associated with the high salt content rather than with a specific metal.

• Research Organization: Tennessee Valley Authority, Muscle Shoals, AL
• OSTI ID: 6002384
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 17:4; ISSN ESTHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510200* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROSOL WASTES
ASHES
BIOLOGICAL AVAILABILITY
CADMIUM
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
CONTAMINATION
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FLY ASH
LEAD
MASS TRANSFER
METALS
MUNICIPAL WASTES
OXIDATION
PLANTS
POLLUTION SOURCES
RESIDUES
SOILS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
UPTAKE
WASTES