Ash Dumping Research Articles

Multiple Site Dissimilarities of Herbaceous Species Due to Coal Fly Ash Dumping Based Soil Heavy Metal Toxication

The present study analyzes the determinants and patterns of the regional, local, and differential plant diversity of two different sites with similar climatic but varied edaphic factors. This research was undertaken to study the plant diversity and population structure as a consequence of variation in the soil quality between two biotopes: Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya in Koni (site-I) and National Thermal Power Corporation in Sipat (site-II). The soil of site-I was found to be fertile and showed rich vegetation. On the other hand, the soil of site II was found to be contaminated with heavy metals, which impacts the flora of the region. The ecology of both sites was studied, and their quantitative and qualitative aspects were compared and contrasted. The abundance, density, and richness of the plants in site II were fairly lower than in site-I, which was confirmed by utilizing Simpson's and Shannon's diversity indices. Many of the species collected from site II were heavy metal accumulators and could also serve as indicators of heavy metal toxicity.

Environmentálně rizikové chemické prvky na odkališti Brno-Hády

The studied area is located in Brno-Vinohrady. This location was used for fly ash dumping. Fly ash as a product of coal combustion was deposited there in period from 1967 to 1997 from the in the Červený mlýn and Špitálka heating plants. This material has the ability to absorb pollutants, especially heavy metals in its structure. Elevated concentrations of these elements thus represent a potential environmental risk. The main impulse to have a closer look at this waste dump and the fly ash composition is the planned building of a leisure complex in this area in the near future.The fly ash morphology was investigated by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results proved the presence of microspheres. On their surface, heavy metals and other contaminants can be accumulated. The contents of heavy metals were determined in the studied material by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis. Measured values were compared with the limit values of environmental pollution published by the Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic and with the results of previous studies from the same place. The limits were exceeded slightly by cobalt (Me = 41.62 ppm; Max = 58.30), and a lot of arsenic (Me = 380.62; Max = 593.35). Amount of arsenic was thus compared with the exposure models, which were created for this location earlier. Its concentration transgressed the line of potential risk for a human organism. The number of radionuclides in the analyzed material by laboratory gamma-ray spectrometry (Me: K = 1.75 %, eU = 6.50 ppm, eTh = 16.75 ppm) was converted to the specific activity of 226Ra (am; Me = 212.40 Bq kg-1) and compared with the limit which is 370 Bq kg-1. Thismethod proved that the deposited material does not contain potentially dangerous amounts of natural radionuclides.Based on the results of this study, especially on the amount of arsenic, the waste dump Brno-Hády represents a potentially dangerous location for the human organism and requires adjustments for possible future utilization as a leisure complex.

Partial Replacement of Cement by Fly Ash & Rha and Natural Sand by Quarry Sand in Concrete

The use of rice husk ash as a by-product in the production of concrete can be considered as important for India since India is one of the leading rice cultivating country in the world. It also provides social aids related to problems associated with ash dumping in the environment. This husk consists of 75% organic volatile matter plus remaining 25% of the weight is converted into ash called as rice husk ash (RHA). This RHA contains majority of amorphous silica around 90%. In the present study,10% RHA is used as a cement replacement material. Proportion of sand is around 35% of total volume of concrete. Natural sand is mostly quarried from river beds that consist of higher percentage of inorganic materials, sulphates, clay, chlorides and silt which affect the durability, strength of concrete & steel thereby decreasing the life of structure. At least 30 % to 50% of Fine particles below 600 microns must be present for the production of good concrete. These particles are not present in river sand in necessary quantities. Also increase in digging may result in fall of ground level there by affecting the environment. So to fulfill the need of fine aggregate the simplest way is to use crushed natural stone i.e manufacturing sand. It produces the concrete of similar properties compared with concrete made with natural sand, such as compressive strength, tensile strength, modulus of rupture and degree of shrinkage. In the present study, various proportions have been considered such as 1. 30% Fine aggregate and 0% rice husk ash mix together in concrete by replacement of cement with the increase of RHA by 2.5% (gradually) and parallely decreasing FA by 2.5% (gradually) ,last proportion taken 22.5% FA and 7.5% RHA. 2. 70% cement, 22.5 % Fly ash & 7.5% RHA, partially replace natural sand by quarry sand i.e. 0% - 45% with an increase of 15% (gradually).The main purpose of the investigation is to obtain the optimum mix design and to examine the physical properties– density, strength (bending and compression), water absorption and moisture content.

Changes in soil morphology of Podzols affected by alkaline fly ash blown out from the dumping site of an electric power plant

PurposeThe impacts of fly ash on the chemistry of forest floors were previously described in literature, while impacts on soil properties were less recognised. Soil investigations were focussed mainly on increases of pH and base saturations in surface horizons. The purpose of this study was to describe the influence of alkaline fly ash blown out from the dumping site of a lignite-fired power plant on pH changes of ectohumus horizons of Podzols and the morphology of deeper horizons.Materials and methodsWe investigated the soil profiles of Podzols derived from loose quartz sand and developed under pine forest surrounding the dumping site of the power plant Bełchatów, central Poland. In the vicinity of the fly ash dumping site, five Podzol profiles located at a distance of 50 m from the dumping site were investigated, as well as soil profiles located along the transect set at distances of 50, 300, 800 and 2000 m from the dumping site. Control profiles were located at a distance of 7.3 km from the dumping site. Soil morphology was described in the field and the following properties were determined: soil texture, hydrolytic acidity, exchangeable cations, total organic carbon and total nitrogen content.Results and discussionThe pH values of Podzol ectohumus horizons located close to the dumping site ranged from 6.01 to 7.34 compared to a range of 3.08–3.72 in the control. Ectohumus horizon located 300 m from the dumping site showed a pH range of 4.13–4.26, while at a distance of 800 m, the pH values did not differ from those of the control site. The upper part of the eluvial soil horizons located close to the dumping site had been transformed into transitional AE horizons in which humic substances translocated from ectohumus horizons were accumulated. Moreover, the organic carbon content of this horizon increased compared to the carbon content of the illuvial Bs horizon located below it. Under the influence of alkalisation of upper horizons, the illuvial Bhs horizons vanished and were transformed into Bs horizons.ConclusionsChanges in soils affected by fly ashes are connected with alkalinisation of ectohumus horizons. Podzolisation processes can be reduced or even completely stopped regarding the distance from the dumping site. Eluvial Podzol horizons located close to the dumping site may be transformed into AE horizons in which humic substances translocated from ectohumus horizons are accumulated. Due to transformation and translocation of organic components, Bhs horizons can be transformed into Bs horizons.

Morphological and biochemical changes in Azadirachta indica from coal combustion fly ash dumping site from a thermal power plant in Delhi, India

The foliar and biochemical traits of Azadirachta indica A. Juss from fly ash (FA) dumping site in Badarpur thermal power plant (BTPP) New Delhi, India was studied. Three different experimental sites were selected at different distances from the thermal power plant. Ambient suspended particulate matter (SPM) and plant responses such as leaf pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids), total chlorophyll, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal index (SI), stomatal conductance (SC), intercellular carbon dioxide concentration [CO2]i, net photosynthetic rate (NPR), nitrogen, nitrate, nitrate reductase activity, proline, protein, reducing sugar and sulphur content were measured. Considerable reduction in pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids), and total chlorophyll was observed at fly ash dumping site. Fly ash stress revealed the inhibitory effect on Nitrate reductase activity (NRA), Nitrate, soluble protein, and reducing sugar content, whereas stimulatory effect was found for the stomatal index, nitrogen, proline, antioxidants and sulphur content in the leaves. Under fly ash stress, stomatal conductance was low, leading to declining in photosynthetic rate and increase in the internal CO2 concentration of leaf. Single leaf area (SLA), leaf length and leaf width also showed a declining trend from control to the polluted site. Antioxidant enzymes increased in leaves reflecting stress and extenuation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Plant regeneration potential in fly ash ecosystem

Abstract Ability of certain plant species to regenerate by adaptive growth can address the harsh conditions of fly ash dumps in fly ash ecosystem. In the present study, we examined the status of regeneration potential of planted tree species in three life forms at fly ash ecosystem of tropical zone. On the basis of importance value index Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC., Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth. and Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre have been found as dominant species in fly ash ecosystem. In this regeneration status study, the above three tree species (68.91%) have been found in good regeneration category which can be used for revegetation of new fly ash dumping sites .

석탄재 지오폴리머의 환경영향 비교에 관한 연구

This study has been carried out to evaluate environmental values of a coal ash recycling technology and suggest directions for improving environmental performance of the recycling technology. As the results of comparing the global warming environmental impacts of 3 types of geopolymers produced by fly ash, middle ash, and bottom ash with the impact of portland cement, Fly ash geopolymer showed 19%, Middle ash geopolymer 51%, Bottom ash geopolymer showed 133% of the impact of portland cement. The impact of Bottom ash geopolymer can be improved by reducing water use and wastewater recycling. In the case of Fly ash geopolymer and Middle ash geopolymer, energy efficiency and sodium silicate input have been found as material factors. The limitation of this study is not to consider the value of new recycling material, additional burden of coal ash dumping, and low efficiency of small amount production of a development stage. It can be inferred that the actual environmental impact of geopolymers would be lower.

Influence of Anthropogenic and Environmental Conditions on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Pollution Originating from Coal Ash Dumps

Nikola Tesla B power plant (TENT-B), located on the Sava River in Obrenovac, 52 km west from the Serbian’s capital, Belgrade, is the second largest coal-fired power plant in the country, consisting of two blocks of 620 MW each. Samples of fresh coal ash obtained by coal combustion in TENT-B, as well as coal ash samples from the surface and 1-m depth of active, currently filled, and passive, previously filled and not currently used, cassettes, were taken from the coal ash dump. Ultrasonic extracts of the samples were analyzed using gas chromatography with mass selective detection (GC/MSD) in order to identify and quantify 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Two PAH extraction mechanisms during coal ash dumping and storage processes are discussed and significant differences between them were established. PAH concentrations in the ash samples were compared statistically. Correlations between samples and sampling points were established, and leaching potential of samples was examined. Concentrations of PAHs can be reduced in coal ash sediments by environmental influences only after long time periods, and PAHs with two six-membered rings pose danger to underground waters, while PAHs with three rings pose danger to soil sediments.

Proteomic analysis of chromate response in Staphylococcus saprophyticus isolated from a fly ash dumping site

Staphylococci species resistant to chromate were previously isolated from a fly ash dumping site. To further understand the mechanisms developed by these bacteria to tolerate chromate, a proteomic analysis was performed to identify proteins involved in chromate stress response of Staphylococcus saprophyticus isolated from a fly ash dumping site. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and two dimensional (2D) electrophoresis gels revealed several proteins visualized as up- and down- regulated in presence of Cr (VI) (500 µg/ml). Using matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), a putative ribosome-associated protein Y [S. saprophyticus subsp. saprophyticus ATCC 15305], and a pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 component beta subunit [S. saprophyticus subsp. Saprophyticus ATCC 15305] were identified as upregulated during chromate stress. The putative ribosome-associated protein Y is homologous to the ribosomal protein (gi24349644) expressed in Shewanella oneidensis in response to an acute chromium stress. The chromate stress upregulated pyruvate dehydrogenase from S. saprophyticus was highly similar to a pyruvate dehydrogenase (AF23026) upregulated in Staphylococcus aureus during osmotic stress. These results show that these proteins may be used as genetic systems by S. saprophyticus to resist chromate pollution and other stresses within the fly ash (FA) dumping site.

O następstwach składowania popiołów dymnicowych w pożwirowych wyrobiskach na tarasie Dunajca

O następstwach składowania popiołów dymnicowych w pożwirowych wyrobiskach na tarasie Dunajca

Genes Related to Chromate Toxicity Challenging Systems in Native Staphylococci Species Isolated from a Fly Ash Dumping Site

Staphylococci species resistant to chromate were isolated from a chromate polluted fly ash dumping site. The mechanisms used by these gram positive bacteria to survive high levels of chromate in this environment were studied. Using PCR amplification and computer assisted analyses, the existence of gene clusters that are associated to chromate challenging systems in the genome of staphylococcal strains was studied. A DNA fragment was amplified and was shown to be part of a gene encoding protein sequence with the highest homologies to ABC transporter ATP binding protein in S. saprophyticus (YP_300821.1) and S. aureus genomes (ADI98643.1). This ABC transporter is a P-loop NTPase homologous to similar P-loop ABC sulfate transporters Arth_0806 (YP_830304.1), Arth_857 (gi116609531), and Arth_858 (gi116609532) that were abundantly expressed in Arthrobacter sp. during chromate stress. When the full gene encoding this ABC transporter was cloned into a pGEMT vector and transferred to Escherichia coli, the transformed E. coli cells could grow on a medium supplemented with chromate, showing that this ABC transporter conferred resistance to chromate. Another fragment was part of a gene that encoded a nirD Rieske domain protein in S. epidermidis ZP_04817633 and S. aureus NP_647138. The nirD from the Staphylococci had homologies with Arth_3714 YP_833189.1, a Rieske (2Fe-2S) domain protein abundantly up-regulated in Arthrobacter sp. during chromate stress. A third fragment was part of a gene that encoded proteins homologous to chromosome segregation SMC proteins YP_301625.1, EGS78669.1, and ZP_04866016.1 respectively in the genomes of S. saprophyticus, S. epidermidis, and S. aureus. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the SMC protein was homologous to So3429 gi24349654, a RecX protein that was shown to be involved in DNA damage repair in Shewanella oneidensis in response to chromate stress. This study reports that the staphylococcal strains isolated from the chromate polluted fly ash dumping site harbored genes that might be used by these organisms to survive chromate toxicity.

Characterization of boron tolerant bacteria isolated from a fly ash dumping site for bacterial boron remediation

Boron is an essential micronutrient for plants, but can above certain concentrations be toxic to living organisms. A major environmental concern is the removal of boron from contaminated water and fly ash. For this purpose, the samples were collected from a fly ash dumping site, Nagasaki prefecture, Japan. The chemical characteristics and heavy metal concentration of the samples were performed by X-ray fluorescent analysis and leaching test. For bacterial analysis, samples were collected in sterile plastic sheets and isolation was carried out by serial dilution method. The boron tolerant isolates that showed values of maximum inhibitory concentration toward boron ranging from 100 to 260mM level were screened. Based on 16S rRNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, the isolates were most closely related to the genera Bacillus, Lysinibacillus, Microbacterium and Ralstonia. The boron tolerance of these strains was also associated with resistant to several heavy metals, such as As (III), Cr (VI), Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, Se (III) and Zn. Indeed, these strains were arsenic oxidizing bacteria confirmed by silver nitrate test. These strains exhibited their salt resistances ranging from 4 to 15% were determined in Trypticase soy agar medium. The boron tolerant strains were capable of removing 0.1-2.0 and 2.7-3.7mgl(-1) boron from the medium and fly ash at 168h. Thus, we have successfully identified the boron tolerant and removal bacteria from a fly ash dumping site for boron remediation.

Genotoxicity assessment of soil contamination: a case study from Farakka coal-fired power plant in eastern India

The study deals with the genotoxicity of soil samples collected from locations near a thermal power plant in the eastern parts of India. The metal content in the soil samples collected near the thermal power plant, fly ash pond and ash dumping sites were higher than the control sample. Physicochemical parameters such as pH, bulk density, water holding capacity and soil texture did not show much difference between the reference soil and the contaminated soils. Comet assay was carried in pot experiments utilizing Allium bulbs. The results of DNA damage as a reference to the genotoxicity of the soil were positive and could be correlated to the presence of the toxic metal content. The damage was high in the sites located near the ash pond and the ash dumping sites. The root growth was also inhibited in the fly ash contaminated soils. The bioassay data in combination with the physico-chemical analyses will be useful in the management and disposal practices of fly ash and can be undertaken to minimize the adverse impact on agricultural land.

Microstructural and mineralogical transformation of hydraulically disposted fly ash-implications to the environment

Increasing amounts of coal are combusted annually to meet the ever-increasing energy demands. The inevitable by-products include fly ash and saline effluents, which require acceptable disposal. The aim of this article is to compare the effect of hydraulic disposal with dry ash dumping. The results indicate that the former carries more environmental benefits based on the physical, chemical, and mineralogical aspects that were investigated.

Chromium tolerance and reduction potential of Staphylococci species isolated from a fly ash dumping site in South Africa

In order to study the microbiology of chromium tolerance and reduction at a fly ash dumping site in South Africa, 15 core samples were investigated. It was shown that the 30 year old dumping site exhibited high concentrations of Cr (VI) ranging from 1.6 to 9.6 mg/g. From this contaminated fly ash dumping site, 67 chromium resistant bacteria (CRB) growing in liquid medium in presence of a high chromium concentration (500 μg/ml) were isolated. Full sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene allowed unambiguous identification of five Staphylococci species distributed nonhomogeneously through the depth profile of the site. There was a discrepancy in the way the five species tolerated chromium at 250 and 500 μg/ml in anaerobic conditions in the presence or absence of nitrate (KNO 3 ). Their potential to reduce chromium under these conditions was also demonstrated. Key words : Fly Ash, chromium contamination, chromium resistant bacteria, Cr (VI) reduction.

Chromium tolerance and reduction potential of Staphylococci species isolated from a fly ash dumping site in South Africa

In order to study the microbiology of chromium tolerance and reduction at a fly ash dumping site in South Africa, 15 core samples were investigated. It was shown that the 30 year old dumping site exhibited high concentrations of Cr (VI) ranging from 1.6 to 9.6 mg/g. From this contaminated fly ash dumping site, 67 chromium resistant bacteria (CRB) growing in liquid medium in presence of a high chromium concentration (500 μg/ml) were isolated. Full sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene allowed unambiguous identification of five Staphylococci species distributed nonhomogeneously through the depth profile of the site. There was a discrepancy in the way the five species tolerated chromium at 250 and 500 μg/ml in anaerobic conditions in the presence or absence of nitrate (KNO 3 ). Their potential to reduce chromium under these conditions was also demonstrated. Key words : Fly Ash, chromium contamination, chromium resistant bacteria, Cr (VI) reduction.

Density, metabolic activity, and identity of cultivable rhizosphere bacteria on Salix viminalis in disturbed arable and landfill soils

AbstractThe objective of this study was to provide fundamental data for a subsequent selection of willow growth and soil remediation promoting bacterial strains. The rhizosphere of willows (Salix viminalis) was screened for cultivable bacteria with high enzymatic activity (proteolytic, pectolytic, cellulolytic, amylolytic) and production of siderophores at four test sites with broad spectrum of anthropogenic soil disturbance: sewage‐sludge application, impoverishment by unfavorable arable use, ash dumping, and household‐waste depositing. The density of bacteria in the rhizosphere ranged from 7.92 to 8.56 log10 of colony‐forming units per gram dry weight of soil and varied in a site‐ and willow‐clone‐specific manner. Within the 240 bacterial strains, a high diversity of metabolic activities was observed but was rarely combined in one strain (1.2% having six and 5.8% having five out of seven metabolic activities, respectively). The majority of strains (79.2%) revealed just one or two metabolic activities. Most common was a combination of lipolytic, proteolytic activities, and siderophore production as found in 13.8% of the bacterial strains. The 50 strains with the highest metabolic activity belonged predominantly to the Gammaproteobacteria (66%), the others to Flavobacteria (18%), Betaproteobacteria (8%), Actinobacteria (4%), and Bacilli (4%). The highest portion of cultivable strains of rhizosphere bacteria with high metabolic activities belonged to the genera Pseudomonas, Serratia, and Flavobacterium. We hypothesize that these genera include strains that support willow growth and soil remediation. Therefore, the described strain collection from the rhizosphere of S. viminalis provides a valuable basis for a subsequent selection of these candidates for applications in improvement of site adaptation of plants or remediation of soils.

Pseudomonas delhiensis sp. nov., from a fly ash dumping site of a thermal power plant

A phenanthrene- and citronellol-degrading bacterium, strain RLD-1(T), was isolated from the fly ash dumping site of a thermal power plant in Delhi, India. The 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that this strain belongs to the genus Pseudomonas; high levels of sequence similarity were found with respect to Pseudomonas citronellolis DSM 50332(T) (98.9 %), Pseudomonas jinjuensis DSM 16612(T) (97.6 %) and Pseudomonas nitroreducens DSM 14399(T) (97.5 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences placed the strain within the clade represented by these three strains. Strain RLD-1(T) showed low levels of DNA-DNA hybridization with respect to P. citronellolis DSM 50332(T) (36 %), P. jinjuensis DSM 16612(T) (4 %) and P. nitroreducens (13.7 %). Strain RLD-1(T) can also be distinguished from these three strains on the basis of several biochemical and physiological attributes. The novel strain contained high levels of cellular fatty acids 18 : 1omega7c, 16 : 0 and 16 : 1omega7c, along with 10 : 0 3-OH and 12 : 0 3-OH. Thus, strain RLD-1(T) represents a novel species of the genus Pseudomonas, for which the name Pseudomonas delhiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RLD-1(T) (=MTCC 7601(T)=CCM 7361(T)).

Description of Sphingobium fuliginis sp. nov., a phenanthrene-degrading bacterium from a fly ash dumping site, and reclassification of Sphingomonas cloacae as Sphingobium cloacae comb. nov.

A phenanthrene-degrading bacterium, strain TKP(T), was isolated from a fly ash dumping site of the thermal power plant in Panki, Kanpur, India, by an enrichment culture method using phenanthrene as the sole source of carbon and energy. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain belonged to the genus Sphingobium, as it showed highest sequence similarity to Sphingobium herbicidovorans DSM 11019(T) (97.3 %) and Sphingomonas cloacae JCM 10874(T) (96.5 %), compared with only 91-93 % similarity to members of other genera such as Sphingomonas sensu stricto, Novosphingobium, Sphingopyxis and Sphingosinicella. In DNA-DNA hybridization experiments with strains that were closely related phylogenetically and in terms of 16S rRNA gene sequences, i.e. Sphingobium herbicidovorans DSM 11019(T) and Sphingomonas cloacae JCM 10874(T), strain TKP(T) showed less than 70 % relatedness. Strain TKP(T) contained sphingoglycolipids SGL-1 and SGL-2 and 18 : 1omega7c as the predominant fatty acid, with 16 : 0 as a minor component and 14 : 0 2-OH as the major 2-hydroxy fatty acid. Thus, phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA hybridization, fatty acid and polar lipid profiles and differences in physiological and morphological features from the most closely related members of the Sphingobium group showed that strain TKP(T) represents a distinct species of Sphingobium. The name Sphingobium fuliginis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain TKP(T) (=MTCC 7295(T)=CCM 7327(T)). Sphingomonas cloacae JCM 10874(T) formed a coherent cluster with members of Sphingobium, did not reduce nitrate to nitrite and had a fatty acid profile similar to those of Sphingobium species; hence Sphingomonas cloacae should be transferred to the genus Sphingobium as Sphingobium cloacae comb. nov., with the type strain JCM 10874(T) (=DSM 14926(T)).

Use of recultivated electrofilter ash dumping areas for sheep breeding.

Use of recultivated electrofilter ash dumping areas for sheep breeding.