<p>Coal fired power plants generate approximately 45% of the electricity produced in the United States every year, and each year, over 100 million tons of coal ash are produced as a by-product of electricity generation. Coal ash is a solid waste made up principally of bottom ash, fly ash, and flue gas desulfurization materials. The chemical composition of coal ash varies depending on the feed coal source, combustion parameters, and the presence and type of air pollution control devices that remove contaminants from the flue gas into the solid waste stream. Although a significant portion of coal ash waste is recycled, the majority of coal ash is disposed in landfills and holding ponds. Coal ash impoundments have a long history of environmental degradation, which includes: contaminant leaching into groundwater, the discharge of contaminant-laden effluent into surface waters, and catastrophic impoundment failures and ash spills. Despite these known problems, coal ash is not considered a hazardous waste, and thus is not subject to stringent disposal requirements. The current coal ash management system is based on risk assessments of coal ash that do not include environmental parameters that have a profound impact on coal ash contaminant mobility, particularly for the toxic elements such as mercury, arsenic, and selenium. This dissertation research focused on the biogeochemical transformations of mercury, arsenic, and selenium associated with coal ash materials in an effort to: (1) define the key environmental parameters controlling mercury, arsenic, and selenium fate during disposal and ash spills; and (2) delineate the relationship between coal ash characteristics, environmental parameters, and leaching potential. </p><p> The impact of coal ash on mercury transformations in anaerobic systems was assessed using anaerobic sediment-ash microcosms to mimic an ash spill into a benthic aquatic system. Anaerobic sediments are the primary zones for the microbial conversion of inorganic mercury to methyl mercury (MeHg), a process that is mediated by anaerobic bacteria, particularly sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB). MeHg is a potent neurotoxin that biomagnifies up the aquatic food chain, presenting a human health risk-- especially to children and pregnant women. The results of the sediment-ash microcosm experiments indicated negligible net production of MeHg in microcosms with no ash and in microcosms amended with the low-sulfate/low-Hg ash. In contrast, microcosms amended with sulfate and mercury-rich ash showed increases in MeHg concentrations that were two to three times greater than control microcosms without ash. The enhancement MeHg production in the microcosms was likely due to large quantities of leachable sulfate that stimulated the activity of methylating bacteria. Overall, these results highlight the importance of considering both the geochemical conditions of the receiving environment and the chemical composition of the coal ash in assessing the MeHg potential of coal ash. </p><p> The hypothesis that sulfate-rich coal ash can change sediment microbial communities, enhancing MeHg production, was tested by analyzing coal ash impacts on the SRB community in the sediment-ash microcosms using Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (T-RFLP), Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (q-PCR), and Reverse Transcription-qPCR (RT-qPCR). Coal ash did not appear to cause significant changes to the structure of the overall bacterial community, though results showed that it may have caused a decrease in the evenness for species distribution for both SRB and the overall microbial community. During the five-day incubation experiment, the coal ash had a temporary significant effect on SRB abundance during the first one to two days of the experiment and a more sustained effect on SRB activity. This stimulation of SRB population growth and activity also corresponded with increasing net MeHg production. Overall, results indicate that coal ash amendments do not cause large shifts in the overall microbial community or the SRB community, but results indicate that there are connections between SRB abundance/activity and MeHg production. More research is needed to determine how coal ash directly impacts Hg methylating microorganisms, which include diverse array of microorganisms outside of SRB.</p><p> The effect of aerobic and anaerobic conditions on arsenic and selenium leaching from coal ash in an ash spill scenario was also assessed using sediment-ash microcosms. The fate of arsenic and selenium associated with coal ash is of particular concern due to the leachability of these elements at neutral pH and their tendency to bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms. Both the redox speciation of arsenic and selenium, and the pH of the aquatic system, are known to influence leaching into the environment, yet current environmental risk assessments of coal ash focus on pH alone as the primary driving force for arsenic and selenium leaching from coal ash and do not take into account the effects of anaerobic conditions and microbial activity. In this research, total dissolved concentrations of arsenic and selenium, dissolved speciation of arsenic, and solid phase speciation of selenium were monitored to determine the biogeochemical transformations and leaching of arsenic and selenium under differing redox conditions. The results from the sediment-ash microcosm studies showed that redox potential was the major determinant of arsenic and selenium mobility in the microcosm systems with greater arsenic leaching occurring in anaerobic microcosms and greater selenium leaching occurring in aerobic microcosms. Furthermore, the experiments provided clues to how coal ash influences the geochemistry of the benthic environment and how these influences affect the speciation and longer term solubility of arsenic and selenium. </p><p> Finally, experiments were conducted to determine how differing CaO, SO3, and Fe2O3 concentrations in coal ash affect the release of arsenic and selenium from sediment-ash mixtures in a simulated ash spill environment. Aerobic and anaerobic sediment-ash microcosms were constructed to mimic an ash spill into a benthic aquatic system, and a variety of coal ash materials were tested as amendments, including seven fly ashes, one lime-treated fly ash sample, and two FGD samples. Results showed that, in most cases, the sediment in the microcosm buffered the system at neutral, which counteracted leaching impacts of differing CaO and SO3 concentrations in the microcosms. Regardless of ash material, leaching of selenium was greater under aerobic conditions and was correlated with the total selenium content of the microcosm. Maximum leaching of arsenic occurred in anaerobic microcosms for some ash materials and in aerobic microcosms for other materials, suggesting that ash material chemistry played a significant role in controlling arsenic mobility. In both aerobic and anaerobic microcosms, dissolved arsenic concentration was correlated with total arsenic content of the ash material and in anaerobic microcosms, dissolved arsenic concentrations also correlated with the total iron content of the ash material. Overall, the results of these experiments showed that arsenic and selenium release under environmentally relevant conditions cannot be predicted by the CaO and SO3 content of the ash material. Rather, the total arsenic, total selenium content, and total iron content of the ash material are good predictors of the worst case environmental leaching scenario.</p><p> These investigations illuminated two major conclusions: (1) microbial activity and differing redox conditions are key in determining the impact of coal ash on the environment and in determining the mobility of coal ash contaminants, and (2) coal ash characteristics, such as sulfate and iron content, can change the redox chemistry and microbial activity of the surrounding environment, further influencing the fate of ash contaminants. This work will be useful in designing a framework that accurately predicts the leaching potential of ash contaminants under environmentally relevant conditions. The results will also be helpful in developing treatment technologies for ash impoundment effluent, guiding decisions on ash pond closure and remediation, and in designing long-term monitoring plans and remediation strategies for ash-impacted sites.</p> / Dissertation

Amostras de cinzas geradas na combustão do carvão e de cinzas provenientes da queima dos resíduos da cana-de açúcar foram usadas como fonte de silício e alumínio para sintetizar zeólita 4A pelos métodos IZA e fusão alcalina seguida de tratamento hidrotérmico. A razão molar de Si/Al para a formação da zeólita foi ajustada pela adição de resíduo de alumínio da indústria terciária como fonte alternativa de alumínio. Os efeitos da temperatura, do tempo de fusão e o tempo da reação hidrotérmica foram investigados. Os resíduos e os produtos sintetizados foram caracterizados por diferentes técnicas, tais como: fluorescência de Raio X, difração de Raio X, capacidade de troca catiônica, entre outros. A zeólita sintetizada a partir de cinzas leves de carvão foi usada para a remoção de Cd2+ e Zn2+ de solução aquosa em sistema de batelada. Os dados de equilíbrio de adsorção foram avaliados usando-se equações não lineares dos modelos de Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin e Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R). Os modelos de D-R e Freundlich foram os que melhor se ajustaram aos dados experimentais do Cd2+ e Zn2+, respectivamente. A capacidade máxima de adsorção foi de 78,0 mg.g-1 para o Cd2+ e 35,8 mg.g-1 para o Zn2+. Os resultados mostraram que o resíduo de alumínio e as cinzas de carvão e de biomassa podem ser usados como matéria prima para obtenção de zeólita 4A, considerado um material de valor agregado e com promissoras propriedades de adsorção. / Ash samples generated in the combustion of coal and ash from the burning of sugarcane residues were used as a source of silicon and aluminum to synthesize zeolite 4A by IZA and alkaline fusion followed by hydrothermal treatment. The Si/Al molar ratio for zeolite formation was adjusted by the addition of aluminum residue from the tertiary industry as an alternative source of aluminum. The effects of temperature, melting time and hydrothermal reaction time were investigated. The residues and the synthesized products were characterized by different techniques, such as: X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, cation exchange capacity, among others. The zeolite synthesized from fly ash was used to remove Cd2+ and Zn2+ from aqueous solution in a batch system. The adsorption equilibrium data were evaluated using non-linear equations of the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) models. The D-R and Freundlich models were the best fit for the experimental data of Cd2+ and Zn2+, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity was 78.0 mg.g-1 for Cd2+ and 35.8 mg.g-1 for Zn2+. The results showed that the coal and biomass ashes mixed with aluminium residues can be used as feedstock to obtain 4A zeolite, considered a value-added material with promising adsorption properties.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, for the Degree of Master of Science. / storage and waste dumps from coal mining tend to spontaneously combust. This is mainly as a result of the oxidation process which is accelerated by the availability of oxygen and the exothermic nature of the oxidation process. In cases of poor ventilation the heat accumulation within the bed is thought to lead to the spontaneous combustion of coal. The work in this dissertation aims to investigate the change in oxygen concentration in a bed of coal and also measure the rate of oxidation (oxygen absorption) in a closed reactor under isothermal conditions. Drying rate of coal under nitrogen was also looked into. An analysis of the oxygen concentration profile in a three metre 20 cm ID plastic column filled up with coal has been carried out. As the coal ages (becomes oxidised) its reactivity towards oxygen decreases and changes in the oxygen concentration profile are noticed. Experiments have been carried out up to 8 months and from the results obtained, a simple pseudo-steady-state model has been developed to describe the diffusion of oxygen into a reacting coal bed. The findings could prove useful in trying to find a solution to coal and waste dump fire control. The second experiment is a simple isothermal oxygen absorption experiment in which the rate of absorption of oxygen on a given coal sample is measured at different initial concentrations of oxygen. The initial concentration of oxygen is varied over a fairly wide range in order to determine the dependence of the rate of oxidation on the oxygen concentration. The rate- limiting step in low temperature oxidation of coal is found to be the absorption of oxygen. Moisture also plays a role in coal oxidation. Drying experiments were also carried out so as to quantify and investigate the rate of loss of moisture. Models have been developed which try to explain the mechanisms involved in the drying process. The modelling suggest that the bound water model is more appropriate to the type of behaviour exhibited during the drying process / Andrew Chakane 2018

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, for the Degree of Master of Science. / Storage and waste dumps from coal mining tend to spontaneously combust. This is mainly as a result of the oxidation process which is accelerated by the availability of oxygen and the exothermic nature of the oxidation process. In cases of poor ventilation the heat accumulation within the bed is thought to lead to the spontaneous combustion of coal. The work in this dissertation aims to investigate the change in oxygen concentration in a bed of coal and also measure the rate of oxidation (oxygen absorption) in a closed reactor under isothermal conditions. Drying rate of coal under nitrogen was also looked into. An analysis of the oxygen concentration profile in a three metre 20 cm ID plastic column filled up with coal has been carried out. As the coal ages (becomes oxidised) its reactivity towards oxygen decreases and changes in the oxygen concentration profile are noticed. Experiments have been carried out up to 8 months and from the results obtained, a simple pseudo-steady-state model has been developed to describe the diffusion of oxygen into a reacting coal bed. The findings could prove useful in trying to find a solution to coal and waste dump fire control. The second experiment is a simple isothermal oxygen absorption experiment in which the rate of absorption of oxygen on a given coal sample is measured at different initial concentrations of oxygen. The initial concentration of oxygen is varied over a fairly wide range in order to determine the dependence of the rate of oxidation on the oxygen concentration. The rate- limiting step in low temperature oxidation of coal is found to be the absorption of oxygen. Moisture also plays a role in coal oxidation. Drying experiments were also carried out so as to quantify and investigate the rate of loss of moisture. Models have been developed which try to explain tile mechanisms involved in the drying process. The modelling suggest that the bound water model is more appropriate to the type of behaviour exhibited during the drying process. / Andrew Chakane 2018

No presente estudo, a capacidade da zeólita sintetizada a partir de cinzas de carvão na remoção do corante remazol vermelho RB de solução aquosa foi investigada por meio de processo descontínuo. O equilíbrio foi alcançado após 360 min de tempo de contato. A velocidade de adsorção seguiu o modelo cinético de pseudo-segunda-ordem. Os dados de equilíbrio obtidos se ajustaram à isoterma de adsorção de Langmuir apresentando capacidade de adsorção máxima de 1,20 mg g-1. A eficiência de adsorção estava entre 75 a 91 % no tempo de equilíbrio. Visando obter as melhores condições de remoção do corante, verificou-se a influência dos seguintes parâmetros: concentração inicial do corante, pH da solução aquosa, dose do adsorvente e temperatura. Os parâmetros termodinâmicos foram avaliados indicando que o processo de adsorção do remazol vermelho sobre a zeólita é de natureza espontânea. Experimentos adicionando-se NaCl e Na2SO4 foram realizados com o objetivo de simular as reais condições dos efluentes de banhos de tingimento e avaliar a influência destes compostos quimicos no fenômeno de adsorção. Os dados de equilíbrio de adsorção do remazol vermelho sobre a zeólita foram alcançados em um tempo menor na presença de concentrações crescentes dos sais em solução e houve um aumento na capacidade de adsorção. A eficiência do estudo como tratamento foi avaliada quanto à toxicidade aguda utilizando o microcrustáceo Daphnia similis. / In this study, the capacity of zeolite synthesized from coal ash in the removal of Remazol Red dye aqueous solution was investigated by batch mode operation. The equilibrium was attained after 360 min of contact time. The adsorption rate followed the kinetic model of pseudo-second-order. The equilibrium data obtained fitted to Langmuir adsorption isotherm showing the adsorption capacity of up to 1.20mg g-1. The efficiency of adsorption was between 75 to 91% in the equilibrium time. In order to obtain the best conditions for removal of this dye, the influence of the following parameters was: initial concentration of the dye, pH of the aqueous solution, dose of adsorbent and temperature. The thermodynamic parameters were evaluated showing that the adsorption of Remazol red on the zeolite is of a spontaneous nature. Experiments by adding NaCl and Na2SO4 were carried out to simulate the real conditions of the effluents from the dyeing bath and to evaluate the influence of these chemical compounds in the phenomenon of adsorption. The equilibrium data of adsorption of Remazol red on the zeolite was achieved in a shorter time in the presence of increasing concentrations of salts in solution and an increase in adsorption capacity. The efficiency of the study was evaluated as a treatment for acute toxicity using Daphnia similis microcrustacean.

A contaminação do solo tem sido motivo de preocupação ambiental e de saúde pública, uma vez que o homem depende do seu uso para sobreviver. O resíduo de cinza de carvão, gerado da queima de carvão em usina termoelétrica, é uma das fontes contaminadoras do solo quando disposto de forma inadequada. Os elementos tóxicos da cinza de carvão, quando depositada sobre o solo e exposta à chuva, podem ser lixiviados da cinza para o solo. No solo estes elementos podem ser sorvidos, transportados para a água subterrânea e superficial ou absorvido pelas plantas, o que pode contaminar estas matrizes ambientais. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a mobilidade de As, Cd, Mo, Pb e Zn em colunas de Latossolo argiloso com cinza de carvão sobreposta ao solo e avaliar se a retenção destes elementos provoca a contaminação do solo. As colunas foram percoladas com uma solução ácida com pH 4,5 para simular água de chuva, por períodos de 168 e 336 dias. As amostras de cinza de carvão, solo e percolado das colunas foram analisadas quanto à concentração dos elementos e as características físicas, químicas e mineralógicas. O Pb não foi lixiviado da cinza de carvão, portanto, o solo e percolado do solo não foram contaminados por este elemento. Os elementos As, Cd, Mo e Zn foram lixiviados da cinza de carvão e não foram detectados no percolado das colunas, indicando que estes elementos ficaram retidos no solo. A concentração do Mo no solo não foi detectada acima do limite de quantificação do método. A concentração dos elementos foi comparada com os valores orientadores para solos estabelecidos pela CETESB. A maior parte do Zn detectado no solo foi proveniente do próprio solo utilizado no preparo da coluna e a concentração deste elemento no solo foi abaixo do valor de referência (60 mg kg-1). A concentração do Cd no solo foi acima do valor de referência (<0,5 mg kg-1) e abaixo do valor de intervenção (3 mg kg-1). A concentração do As no solo foi acima do valor de intervenção (35 mg kg-1), sendo o único elemento crítico do ponto de vista ambiental. / Soil contamination has been an environmental and public health concern, once the man depends on its use to survive. Coal fly ash generated by coal burning in power plants is one source of soil contamination when it inadequately disposed. Toxic elements from coal fly ash, deposited on soil and exposed to rain, can be leached into the soil. In the soil these elements can be sorbed, transported to groundwater and surface water or even absorbed by plants, which can contaminate these environmental matrices. The aim of study was to evaluate the mobility of As, Cd, Mo, Pb and Zn in clayey oxisol columns with coal fly ash on top soil, and also evaluate if these elements retention leads to soil contamination. The columns were percolated by acidic solution, pH 4.5, to simulate rain water, in periods of 168 and 336 days. The elements concentration and physical, chemical and mineralogical characteristics were determined in coal fly ash, soil and column leachate samples. Lead was not leached from coal fly ash, therefore the soil and the column leachate were not contaminated by this element. The elements As, Cd, Mo and Zn were leached from coal fly ash and were not detected in leachate of soil, that means these elements were retained in soil. The Mo concentration was below the quantification limit of method. The As, Cd and Zn concentrations were compared with the CETESB guideline values established for soil. The majority of Zn detected in the soil came from the original soil used in the column preparation and this element concentration in soil was below the reference value (60 mg kg-1). Cadmium concentration in soil was above the reference value (<0.5 mg kg-1) and it was below the intervention value (3 mg kg-1). Arsenic in soil was above the intervention value (35 mg kg-1), so that was the most critical element by the environmental point of view.

A contaminação do solo tem sido motivo de preocupação ambiental e de saúde pública, uma vez que o homem depende do seu uso para sobreviver. O resíduo de cinza de carvão, gerado da queima de carvão em usina termoelétrica, é uma das fontes contaminadoras do solo quando disposto de forma inadequada. Os elementos tóxicos da cinza de carvão, quando depositada sobre o solo e exposta à chuva, podem ser lixiviados da cinza para o solo. No solo estes elementos podem ser sorvidos, transportados para a água subterrânea e superficial ou absorvido pelas plantas, o que pode contaminar estas matrizes ambientais. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a mobilidade de As, Cd, Mo, Pb e Zn em colunas de Latossolo argiloso com cinza de carvão sobreposta ao solo e avaliar se a retenção destes elementos provoca a contaminação do solo. As colunas foram percoladas com uma solução ácida com pH 4,5 para simular água de chuva, por períodos de 168 e 336 dias. As amostras de cinza de carvão, solo e percolado das colunas foram analisadas quanto à concentração dos elementos e as características físicas, químicas e mineralógicas. O Pb não foi lixiviado da cinza de carvão, portanto, o solo e percolado do solo não foram contaminados por este elemento. Os elementos As, Cd, Mo e Zn foram lixiviados da cinza de carvão e não foram detectados no percolado das colunas, indicando que estes elementos ficaram retidos no solo. A concentração do Mo no solo não foi detectada acima do limite de quantificação do método. A concentração dos elementos foi comparada com os valores orientadores para solos estabelecidos pela CETESB. A maior parte do Zn detectado no solo foi proveniente do próprio solo utilizado no preparo da coluna e a concentração deste elemento no solo foi abaixo do valor de referência (60 mg kg-1). A concentração do Cd no solo foi acima do valor de referência (<0,5 mg kg-1) e abaixo do valor de intervenção (3 mg kg-1). A concentração do As no solo foi acima do valor de intervenção (35 mg kg-1), sendo o único elemento crítico do ponto de vista ambiental. / Soil contamination has been an environmental and public health concern, once the man depends on its use to survive. Coal fly ash generated by coal burning in power plants is one source of soil contamination when it inadequately disposed. Toxic elements from coal fly ash, deposited on soil and exposed to rain, can be leached into the soil. In the soil these elements can be sorbed, transported to groundwater and surface water or even absorbed by plants, which can contaminate these environmental matrices. The aim of study was to evaluate the mobility of As, Cd, Mo, Pb and Zn in clayey oxisol columns with coal fly ash on top soil, and also evaluate if these elements retention leads to soil contamination. The columns were percolated by acidic solution, pH 4.5, to simulate rain water, in periods of 168 and 336 days. The elements concentration and physical, chemical and mineralogical characteristics were determined in coal fly ash, soil and column leachate samples. Lead was not leached from coal fly ash, therefore the soil and the column leachate were not contaminated by this element. The elements As, Cd, Mo and Zn were leached from coal fly ash and were not detected in leachate of soil, that means these elements were retained in soil. The Mo concentration was below the quantification limit of method. The As, Cd and Zn concentrations were compared with the CETESB guideline values established for soil. The majority of Zn detected in the soil came from the original soil used in the column preparation and this element concentration in soil was below the reference value (60 mg kg-1). Cadmium concentration in soil was above the reference value (<0.5 mg kg-1) and it was below the intervention value (3 mg kg-1). Arsenic in soil was above the intervention value (35 mg kg-1), so that was the most critical element by the environmental point of view.

No presente estudo, a capacidade da zeólita sintetizada a partir de cinzas de carvão na remoção do corante remazol vermelho RB de solução aquosa foi investigada por meio de processo descontínuo. O equilíbrio foi alcançado após 360 min de tempo de contato. A velocidade de adsorção seguiu o modelo cinético de pseudo-segunda-ordem. Os dados de equilíbrio obtidos se ajustaram à isoterma de adsorção de Langmuir apresentando capacidade de adsorção máxima de 1,20 mg g-1. A eficiência de adsorção estava entre 75 a 91 % no tempo de equilíbrio. Visando obter as melhores condições de remoção do corante, verificou-se a influência dos seguintes parâmetros: concentração inicial do corante, pH da solução aquosa, dose do adsorvente e temperatura. Os parâmetros termodinâmicos foram avaliados indicando que o processo de adsorção do remazol vermelho sobre a zeólita é de natureza espontânea. Experimentos adicionando-se NaCl e Na2SO4 foram realizados com o objetivo de simular as reais condições dos efluentes de banhos de tingimento e avaliar a influência destes compostos quimicos no fenômeno de adsorção. Os dados de equilíbrio de adsorção do remazol vermelho sobre a zeólita foram alcançados em um tempo menor na presença de concentrações crescentes dos sais em solução e houve um aumento na capacidade de adsorção. A eficiência do estudo como tratamento foi avaliada quanto à toxicidade aguda utilizando o microcrustáceo Daphnia similis. / In this study, the capacity of zeolite synthesized from coal ash in the removal of Remazol Red dye aqueous solution was investigated by batch mode operation. The equilibrium was attained after 360 min of contact time. The adsorption rate followed the kinetic model of pseudo-second-order. The equilibrium data obtained fitted to Langmuir adsorption isotherm showing the adsorption capacity of up to 1.20mg g-1. The efficiency of adsorption was between 75 to 91% in the equilibrium time. In order to obtain the best conditions for removal of this dye, the influence of the following parameters was: initial concentration of the dye, pH of the aqueous solution, dose of adsorbent and temperature. The thermodynamic parameters were evaluated showing that the adsorption of Remazol red on the zeolite is of a spontaneous nature. Experiments by adding NaCl and Na2SO4 were carried out to simulate the real conditions of the effluents from the dyeing bath and to evaluate the influence of these chemical compounds in the phenomenon of adsorption. The equilibrium data of adsorption of Remazol red on the zeolite was achieved in a shorter time in the presence of increasing concentrations of salts in solution and an increase in adsorption capacity. The efficiency of the study was evaluated as a treatment for acute toxicity using Daphnia similis microcrustacean.

<p>Coal fired power plants are ubiquitous in the United States and most developed countries around the world, providing affordable electricity to consumers. In the US, approximately six hundred power plants generate 136 million tons of Coal Combustion Residuals (CCRs) annually, encompassing fly ash, bottom ash, and flue gas desulfurization materials. The range and blends of CCRs varies substantially across coal-fired plants and depends on a unique set of circumstances for each plant and coal source. Current U.S. regulations mandate the installation of advanced capture technologies to reduce atmospheric pollution, but do not address the transfer and storage, or the potential impacts to water resources. Thus improved air quality is traded for significant enrichments of contaminants in the solid waste and effluent discharged from power plants. </p><p>This work examines the geochemical and isotopic characteristics of CCRs, as well as potential environmental impacts from CCRs. This investigation looks at several different aspects of CCR and environmental interactions from 1) the immediate impacts of the 2008 TVA coal ash spill in Kingston, TN, 2) the long-term (18-month) exposure of the spilled ash in the Emory and Clinch rivers, 3) impacts on waterways in North Carolina that receive CCR effluent from coal fired power plants, and 4) examination of boron and strontium isotopes of CCRs from leaching experiments and their application as tracers in the environment of the TVA spill and NC waterways. These investigations have illuminated several conclusions, including contact of surface water with CCRs leach high concentrations of leachable CCR contaminants, such as As, Se, B, Sr, Mo, and V in the surface waters; the dilution effect is critical in determining the concentration of contaminants from the CCRs in surface water (both at the spill and in waterways receiving CCR effluent); recycling of trace elements (such as As) through adsorption/desorption can impact water quality; and elevated boron and strontium concentrations, in addition to their isotopes, can trace CCR effluent in the environment. Combining the geochemical behavior and isotopic characteristics provides a novel tool for the identification CCR effluents in the environment.</p> / Dissertation

Thesis (PhD.(Metallurgy)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.