A. Maldonado-Alameda, J. Giro-Paloma, A. Rodríguez-Romero, J. Serret, A. Menargues, A. Andrés, J.M. Chimenos
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125828
Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2021, 416, 1-14
Quartile Q1, Impact 10.129
Alkali-activated binders (AABs) stand out as a sustainable alternative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) as they can be formulated using by-products or waste as raw materials. However, the presence of hazardous compounds in residues can lead to an increase in AABs’ toxicity due to the highly alkaline media. Therefore, it is extremely important to evaluate their environmental risks to validate their use as building materials. This study environmentally assessed AABs prepared with two different fractions (0–30 mm and 8–30 mm) of weathered bottom ash (AA-WBA) from WtE plants. The potential leachate toxicity of AA-WBA was assessed using granular and monolithic leaching tests that simulated end-of-life and service life scenarios, respectively. Furthermore, an acute toxicity test with crustacean Daphnia magna as model organisms was conducted to determine the relationship between the leachate metal(loid) concentrations and the ecotoxicity of AA-WBA. The results showed higher metal(loid) concentrations in AA-WBA specimens prepared with the 0–30 mm fraction of WBA. The service life scenario revealed multiple metal(loid)-release mechanisms. The 48 h EC50 value (close to 10%; moderate toxicity) indicated that the use of the coarse fraction of WBA increased the immobilisation of the metal(loid)s. Finally, the correlation between the concentrations of some of the metal(loid)s and toxicity was demonstrated.
Funding
The research leading this project has received funding from the Spanish Government (BIA2017–83912- C2–1-R). This work has been partially funded by a Catalonian research Grant (FI-DGR 2017), Serra Húnter Fellow, and Spanish grant (Juan de la Cierva Incorporación referenced as IJC2018–037545-I).
Research category: Environment and Construction
Projects associated: Desarrollo sostenible de cementos activados alcalinamente a partir de escorias de incineración de residuos municipales (BIA2017–83912- C2–1-R)
Doctoral Thesis related: Alkali-activated binders based on municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash