Heavy metal- and organic-matter pollution due to self-heating coal-waste dumps in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (Poland)

Nádudvari, Ádám; Kozielska, Barbara; Abramowicz, Anna; Fabiańska, Monika J.; Ciesielczuk, Justyna; Cabała, Jerzy; Krzykawski, Tomasz

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125244

Cited by 36 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 148 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The intensification of the fire can enrich Hg on the surface as a possible threat. However, the 0.1–1.4 mg kg ‐1 values generally agreed with the results of Nádudvari et al (2021) where Hg concentration in thermally inactive coal waste ranged from 0.2 to 0.5 mg kg ‐1 or in coals from USCB – 0.1–0.4 mg/kg (Hlawiczka et al, 2003). However, Hg in soils is strongly bound to organic matter, in particular to the sulphur in thiol groups and nearly all of the dissolved and particulate Hg moving with water through the terrestrial environment is bound to OM (Bishop et al, 1995; Nelson et al, 2007).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…The Hg concentration in samples stayed within the safe limit according to the Polish Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of 1 September 2016. However, self‐heating in coal waste can promote elevated Hg concentration (i.e., 300–1078 mg kg ‐1 ) as was introduced by Nádudvari et al (2021). The intensification of the fire can enrich Hg on the surface as a possible threat.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Total organic carbon (TOC) content was determined with an Eltra CS‐500 analyser. This was followed by extraction in DCM (dichloromethane), using a Dionex 350 apparatus (30–40°C for 15–20 min; Nádudvari et al, 2021). The extracts were analysed via GC–MS with an Agilent 7890A gas chromatograph equipped with an HP‐35 column coated with a 0.25‐μm stationary phase film, coupled with an Agilent Technology 5975C XL MDS mass spectrometer (temperature programme: 50°C/2 min, to 175°C at 10°C/min, to 225°C at 6°C/min, and to 300°C at 4°C/min – then held for 20 min; Nádudvari et al, 2021).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The second group includes, among others, Al, Ni, Co, and U, which are related to clay minerals (Nádudvari et al, 2021). They are of both detritical and autogenous origin.…”

Section: Contribution Of Variables To Principal Componentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Given unfavourable waste composition, the lack of appropriate storage technology may lead to dust emission and leaching of toxic substances. Numerous heavy‐metal pollutants, for example, Hg, Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr, and Pb, are found in self‐heating coal waste (Nádudvari et al, 2021). However, exceptions to this rule exist, as there are known cases of dumps covered with soil that meet the norms for unpolluted soils.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Changes in soil chemical composition caused by self‐heating of a coal‐waste dump

et al. 2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The paper presents soil features and chemical composition in a self-heating coalwaste dump. The investigations were carried out in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin.A fire zone in which the soil temperature exceeded 50 C was selected for our study.Soil analyses were carried out for three grain sizesd > 1 mm, 0.063 mm < d ≤ 1 mm, and d ≤ 0.063 mmenabling identification of the diversity of the chemical composition in soil fractions. The highest concentration of heavy metals is represented by Mn (212-6972 mg kg -1 ), Zn (127-3283 mg kg -1 ), Pb (33.6-1344.7 mg kg -1 ), Cu (38.9-101.4 mg kg -1 ), and major elements by Fe (14,300-117,400 mg kg -1 ) and Ca (900-63,600 mg kg -1 ). Soil chemistry showed variations within individual studied sites. The soil reaction ranges from acidic (4.3 in KCl and 5.26 in H 2 O) to moderate alkaline (7.96 in H 2 O and 7.31 in KCl), whereas TOC ranges from 1.21% to 14.60% and TN from 0.023% to 0.291%. The distribution of n-alkanes clearly showed a low degree of transformation of organic matter and characteristic high values of Pr/Ph ratio for humic coals and coal waste in the region. Grains with diameters greater than 1 mm exhibited completely different features than those of fractions smaller than or equal to 1 mm. High organic carbon content (14.60) was detected in the samples along with PAHs. The influence of fire on the chemical composition of all samples was identified using geochemical indicators. PCA analysis showed that the values of the variables were more closely correlated in finer grains than in the coarsest fraction.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The second group includes, among others, Al, Ni, Co, and U, which are related to clay minerals (Nádudvari et al, 2021). They are of both detritical and autogenous origin.…”

Section: Contribution Of Variables To Principal Componentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Changes in soil chemical composition caused by self‐heating of a coal‐waste dump

et al. 2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Synergistic mechanism of physical chemistry and acid bacteria: Product evolution of sulphides during tunnel mining

He,

Ren,

et al. 2024

Geological Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Tunnel waste constitutes a prevalent by‐product of highway construction in high‐altitude mountainous and hilly regions. Sulphide minerals exhibit a unique distribution pattern within the alpine hills. Consequently, tunnel excavation can disrupt the stability of these sulphide minerals, rendering the tunnel waste susceptible to generating secondary environmental hazards during stockpiling. This research delves into the migration and transformation dynamics of potential environmental pollutants in tunnel waste through geoenvironmental simulation techniques. Controlled variables were employed to simulate various conditions, including surface illumination, internal anaerobiosis, water content and aerobic environments. The study's findings indicate that the presence of pyrite in the waste stream primarily drives the secondary contamination of the tunnel waste. Pyrite within the slag tends to react and form sulphuric acid in the stockpile environment, thus creating an acidic milieu that exacerbates the release of existing contaminants. The emergence of an anaerobic environment and a photocatalytic system composed of Fe/Ti substances in the waste stream serves to further accelerate pollutant release. This study thoroughly investigates the primary causes of environmental pollution during the stockpiling of tunnel slag and assesses the potential environmental impact scenarios. The outcomes of this research offer substantial theoretical and empirical support for the management of slag generated during the tunnel construction process.

show abstract

Low-carbon utilization of coal gangue under the carbon neutralization strategy: a short review

Liu

2023

J Mater Cycles Waste Manag

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Heavy metal- and organic-matter pollution due to self-heating coal-waste dumps in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (Poland)

Cited by 36 publications

References 148 publications

Changes in soil chemical composition caused by self‐heating of a coal‐waste dump

Changes in soil chemical composition caused by self‐heating of a coal‐waste dump

Synergistic mechanism of physical chemistry and acid bacteria: Product evolution of sulphides during tunnel mining

Low-carbon utilization of coal gangue under the carbon neutralization strategy: a short review

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About