Hydrocarbon condensates and argillites in the EliÅ¡ka Mine burnt coal waste heap of the Žacléř coal district (Czech Republic): Products of high- and low-temperature stages of self-ignition

The leaching yields of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) present in the waste samples was determined using batch and percolation tests. The concentrations of Hg, Pb, and Cd in some leachates exceeded the limit values for inert wastes according to EU legislation. However, the concentration of other PHEs was low, probably due to prolonged washout of burnt materials by rainwater at a very low pH (1.5 to 4.6).