No abstract

The study evaluated the use of Lepidium sativum L. to assess the phytotoxicity of three types of waste such as hazardous waste (slags from zinc to copper smelters) and nonhazardous waste (mineral–organic composite). Previous studies evaluated heavy metal leaching and the environmental impact of the tested waste. The purpose of phytotoxicity studies was to increase knowledge about this waste. Two types of tests were used to assess the phytotoxicity of wastes: germination index and accumulation test. Both tests were carried out for leachate (leachate test) and waste (contact test). The results of both tests were compared to assess the phytotoxic effects of tested waste. Phytotoxicity tests have shown that the mineral–organic composite leachate was stimulated plant growth, copper smelter slag leachate was characterized by no phytotoxicity and zinc slag leachate inhibited the growth of plants. In contrast, contact test showed inhibitory effects from all tested waste. Wherefore, the contact test was indicated as more sensitive in the assessment of phytotoxicity. However, this is not a clear assessment, because the germination index values for both tests were a result of differences of root length for both control samples (deionized water and sand). The study confirmed the usefulness of L. sativum for the assessment of phytotoxicity of various types of waste. Additionally, it was found that L. sativum was resistant to high concentrations of heavy metals in the leachate, without causing any negative physiological effects.

Leaching of heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cu, Ni and Cr) from hazardous waste originating from steel works (slag) has been investigated. Contaminant leaching behavior from monolithic waste materials in the function of time was examined. There was established the cumulative leaching of elements per surface area of waste material and the impact of the duration of the leachant contact with the waste on the leachability. The types of processes accompanying the release of heavy metals were determined as well. Surface wash-off and dissolution were dominant processes during the leaching of the analyzed elements. Chromium was the only element whose release from the sample was controlled by diffusion when subjected to leaching in a liquid of pH 7. Due to the low levels of heavy metal leaching in relation to their concentrations in the samples, it seems that longer duration of the tank test can contribute to the release of additional amounts of the heavy metals.

Abstract. This paper undertakes an assessment of the impact of a mineral-organic composite on the environment as well as the potential for its application for land rehabilitation purposes. The analysis involves the release of the leachable contaminations from the material subjected to testing. This material was formed by a composite manufactured on the basis of communal bottom ash and stabilized sewage sludge. The sludge resulting from wastewater treatment was subjected to stabilization and dehydration in waste pounds at the phase of pre-watering until 20% of dry mass is obtained. Subsequently, they were mixed with bottom ash, which was obtained from selective waste collection, in a 1:1 mass ratio. The analysis involved the leaching of inorganic contaminants in the form of heavy metals, sulphates (VI), chlorides, and fluorides as well as organic compounds in the form of organic carbon solution under the effect of leachant with a various level of pH. The analysed components were characterized by various leaching behaviour depending on the leachant pH. On the basis of the results, it was able to assess the potential hazard posed by the examined material on the environment as a consequence of its application for landfill area rehabilitation.

W celu rekultywacji terenów zdegradowanych i poeksploatacyjnych, w tym składowisk odpadów komunalnych można stosować określone odpady komunalne, tj. popioły paleniskowe i ustabilizowane osady ściekowe. Zmieszanie tych odpadów w stosunku 1:1 stanowi kompozyt mineralno-organiczny wykorzystywany jako materiał rekultywacyjny. Przy analizie potencjalnego ryzyka jakie mogą stwarzać odpady preferowane jest stosowanie badania wieloetapowej ekstrakcji sekwencyjnej. W pracy dokonano analizy zawartości metali ciężkich w poszczególnych frakcjach kompozytu wydzielonych metodą ekstrakcji sekwencyjnej według procedury Tessiera. Badanie ekstrakcji sekwencyjnej przeprowadzono w celu poznania poszczególnych form i frakcji składających się na całkowitą zawartość danego metalu oraz oceny mobilności pierwiastków w środowisku. Zidentyfikowano pięć form występowania metali ciężkich: wymienną, węglanową, tlenkową, organiczną oraz pozostałościową. Dominującą formą występowania kadmu i cynku były połączenia węglanowe. Najwyższą zawartość ołowiu i miedzi oznaczono we frakcji organicznej, a chromu i niklu we frakcji pozostałościowej. Przeprowadzono także analizę poziomu uwalniania metali ciężkich za pomocą podstawowego testu wymywania według PN-EN 12457-2. Badanie to wykazało niską wymywalność metali ciężkich z kompozytu. Ze względu na niewielki udział form metali rozpuszczalnych w wodzie badany materiał uznano za bezpieczny dla środowiska gruntowo-wodnego.