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Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Two-way Valorization of Blast Furnace Slag: Synthesis of Precipitated Calcium Carbonate and Zeolitic Heavy Metal Adsorbent
Published on: February 21, 2017
The environmental hazard caused by smelter slags from the Sta. Maria de la Paz mining district in Mexico
1UFZ Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle, Department of Chemical Ecotoxicology, PO Box 2, D-04301 Leipzig, Germany.
Abstract:
The noxious potential of metallurgical tailings from the Ag/Pb/Zn/Cu mining district of Sta. María de la Paz (Mexico) is ascertained via the chemical characterization of slag material. Batch experiments using various extraction solutions (e.g. natural rainwater, water rich in humic substances, ammonium nitrate solution) revealed information on the dissolution behaviour of the elements Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Ba and Pb from slag with respect of grain size (slag material screened under 2 mm and analytically fine fraction) and elution time (2, 7.5, 24 and 240 h). An initial ecotoxicological assessment of the results is made and the environmental danger caused by large volumes of slag tailings is discussed.
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