Analysis of the content of nickel, chromium, lead and zinc in solid products of coal combustion (CCPs) coming from Polish power plants

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According to data from the European Environmental Agency (EEA), taking into account only the energy production and distribution sector, Poland emits almost 12.4% of chromium, 13.6% of nickel, 23.5% of lead and 28.9% of zinc annually when compared to the total emissions of these pollutants released by the EU Members (EU28) in this sector [1]. Coal combustion processes constitute one of the biggest emission sources of the above-mentioned elements into the environment. According to data found in the literature of the subject, the amounts of Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn in Polish hard coals from the Upper Silesian Coal Basin are 7.3, 9.8, 24.3 and 53.6 mg/kg, respectively [2]. During coal combustion these elements are mostly accumulated in bottom and fly ash. However, a large part of them is released into the atmosphere in the form of gases or particles associated with fly ash [3]. Identification of distribution of the above-mentioned elements between by-products from the coal combustion processes (CCPs) is necessary to develop effective methods of reducing the emission of these elements into the environment. In the article the content was determined of four ecotoxic elements (Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn) in coal blends, samples of fly ashes, ash-slag samples and products of desulphurization (gypsum and filter cakes) which came from two Polish fossil fuel power plants. The content of the elements in all samples was determined with the application of Atomic Absorption Spectrometry with Flame Atomization (FAAS).