Release and bioavailability of zinc and heavy metals in fly ash amended soil and mine spoil

Thesis/Dissertation · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:6969711

Elmosly, W A

Heavy metals concentrations were estimated in an acid Zn deficient soil (Clymer) and a pyritic acid mine spoil (Lenox) treated with three fly ashes at rates of 0, 33, and 66% after incubation at field capacity, saturation, and cycles of wetting, leaching, and drying. Metals were extracted with DTPA, HCl, Mehlich 3, MgCl[sub 2], ammonium acetate, and H[sub 2]O. Incorporation of alkaline fly ashes into both soils significantly increased soil pH. Extractability of all metals depended on pH of the soil-ash mixtures, characteristics of soils and ashes, and nature of the extractant. Moisture only affected extractability of Cr, Fe, and Mn. Zinc levels were increased in the Clymer soil but decreased in the Lenox spoil. Water solubility of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn was determined on three alkaline fly ashes. A greenhouse study with two successive corn crops was conducted to determine yield, plant availability of Zn, and uptake of heavy metals in the plant tops grown on Clymer and Lenox soils treated with three fly ashes at rates of 0, 33, 66%. Fly ash addition usually caused: (a) corn tops yield depression, especially for the second crop, (b) increase in plant Zn concentration on Zn-deficient Clymer soil, (c) decrease in Mn toxicity on Lenox spoil, and (d) increase in Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb plants. The high concentrations of these metals in corn tissues may have been due to stunted growth. Quality of the soil environment by heavy fly ash additions has been shown to be improved with respect to plant nutrition of Zn and Mn, but may have deteriorated by increase in heavy metals.

• Research Organization: West Virginia Univ., Morgantown, WV (United States)
• OSTI ID: 6969711
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540220* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ABSORPTION
AEROSOL WASTES
ASHES
BIOLOGICAL AVAILABILITY
CADMIUM
CEREALS
CHROMIUM
COBALT
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS
CONTAMINATION
COPPER
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
FLY ASH
GRAMINEAE
IRON
LEAD
LILIOPSIDA
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
MAIZE
MANGANESE
METALS
NICKEL
PLANTS
RESIDUES
ROOT ABSORPTION
SOILS
SOLUBILITY
SORPTION
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
UPTAKE
WASTES
ZINC