Nanoscale heterogeneity of arsenic and selenium species in coal fly ash particles: analysis using enhanced spectroscopic imaging and speciation techniques

Rivera, Jr., Nelson A.; Ling, Florence T.; Jin, Zehao; Pattammattel, Ajith; Yan, Hanfei; Chu, Yong S.; Peters, Catherine A.; Hsu-Kim, Heileen

doi:10.1039/d2en01056a

Title: Nanoscale heterogeneity of arsenic and selenium species in coal fly ash particles: analysis using enhanced spectroscopic imaging and speciation techniques

Journal Article · 24 May 2023 · Environmental Science: Nano

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/d2en01056a · OSTI ID:1983983

^[1]; Ling, Florence T. ^[2]; Jin, Zehao ^[1];

^[3]; Yan, Hanfei ^[3]; Chu, Yong S. ^[3];

^[4];

^[1]

Duke University, Durham, NC (United States)
Princeton University, NJ (United States); La Salle University, Philadelphia, PA (United States)
Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
Princeton University, NJ (United States)

Coal combustion byproducts are known to be enriched in arsenic (As) and selenium (Se). This enrichment is a concern during the handling, disposal, and reuse of the ash as both elements can be harmful to wildlife and humans if mobilized into water and soils. The leaching potential and bioaccessibility of As and Se in coal fly ash depends on the chemical forms of these elements and their association with the large variety of particles that comprise coal fly ash. The overall goal of this research was to determine nanoscale and microscale solid phase mineral associations and oxidation states of As and Se in fly ash. We utilized nanoscale 2D imaging (30–50 nm spot size) with the Hard X-ray Nanoprobe (HXN) in combination with microprobe X-ray capabilities (~5 μm resolution) to determine the As and Se elemental associations. Speciation of As and Se was also measured at the nano- to microscale with X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The enhanced resolution of HXN showed As and Se as either diffusely located around or comingled with Ca- and Fe-rich particles. The results also showed nanoparticles of Se attached to the surface of fly ash grains. Overall, a comparison of As and Se species across scales highlights the heterogeneity and complexity of chemical associations for these trace elements of concern in coal fly ash.

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Research Organization:: Duke Univ., Durham, NC (United States); Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE), Clean Coal and Carbon Management; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER); National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; National Institutes of Health (NIH); USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE); USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: FE0031748; AC02-76SF00515; SC0012704; 5U2CES030851; P30GM133894

OSTI ID:: 1983983

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1983769; OSTI ID: 1993718

Report Number(s):: BNL-224475-2023-JAAM

Journal Information:: Environmental Science: Nano, Vol. 10, Issue 7; ISSN 2051-8153

Publisher:: Royal Society of ChemistryCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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