Leaching of Potential Hazardous Elements of Coal Cleaning Rejects

Overview

Journal Environ Monit Assess

Publisher Springer

Specialty Environmental Health

Date 2010 May 22

PMID 20490913

Citations 7

Authors

Luis F O Silva

Maria Izquierdo

Xavier Querol

Robert B Finkelman

Marcos L S Oliveira

Marcus Wollenschlager

Mark Towler

Rafael Perez-Lopez

Felipe Macias

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The geochemical characteristics of coal cleaning rejects (CCR) in Santa Catarina State, Brazil, were investigated. Around 3.5 million ton/year of coal waste are dumped in Santa Catarina State. Coal beneficiation by froth flotation results in large amounts of CCR composed of coaly and mineral matter, the latter characterised by the occurrence of sulphide minerals and a broad array of leachable elements. The total and leachable contents of more than 60 elements were analysed. Atmospheric exposure promotes sulphide oxidation that releases substantial sulphate loads as well as Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, Cl- and Al3+. The metals with the most severe discharges were Zn, Cu, Mn, Co, Ni and Cd. Most trace pollutants in the CCR displayed a marked pH-dependent solubility, being immobile in near-neutral samples. The results highlight the complex interactions among mineral matter solubility, pH and the leaching of potentially hazardous elements.

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