Chemical association and mobility of trace elements in 13 different fuel incineration fly ashes

The migration of trace elements from waste incineration fly ash is problematic during utilization/landfilling. This study investigated the chemical association and potential mobility of trace elements in fly ashes originating from incineration of different fuels [virgin wood, recovered waste wood (RWW), mixed wooden fuel/waste, household, industrial, and mixed waste]. Fly ashes were characterized for total content of trace elements, chemical association by sequential extraction and leaching behaviour by standard leaching method (EN 12457-3). Results showed that average total content of trace elements in 13 fly ashes decreased in the order Zn > Cu > Pb > Sb > Cr > As > Cd. Sequential extraction results indicated that overall, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu and Sb were the most mobile elements and excessive leaching was associated with high content of acid exchangeable fractions. Sequential extraction showed that the average percentage of trace elements in labile and stable fractions for all 13 fly ashes decreased in the order: Cd > Cu > Sb > Zn > As > Pb > Cr (ion-exchangeable), Pb > Zn > Sb > Cd > Cu > As > Cr (acid soluble), Cr > As > Pb > Sb > Cu > Zn > Cd (residual). The standard leaching procedure of ashes indicated that the leached amount of Pb in all samples, Zn in 7 while Cu in 6 (out of 13) samples, respectively, exceeded the regulatory level for disposal. Moreover, principal component analysis (PCA) showed that fuel type affects the chemical association of trace elements in fly ash. Further, risk assessment code (RAC) suggested that most of fly ashes presented very high risk due to high RAC values for Cd, Zn, Cu and Sb.