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VacuSIP, an Improved InEx Method for In Situ Measurement of Particulate and Dissolved Compounds Processed by Active Suspension Feeders
Published on: August 3, 2016
Statistical study on distribution of multiple dissolved elements and a water quality assessment around a simulated
1Environment and Resources College, Shanxi University, No.92 Wucheng Rd., Taiyuan 030006, China.
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
|May 7, 2018
Summary
Groundwater near coal fly ash is unsafe for drinking due to high levels of arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), and lead (Pb). Fly ash leaching significantly contaminates local water sources, posing health risks.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Geochemistry
- Water Quality Assessment
Background:
- Coal-fired power plants generate significant amounts of fly ash, a byproduct with the potential to leach contaminants into surrounding environments.
- Understanding the behavior and impact of leached elements from fly ash is crucial for assessing groundwater quality and associated health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the leaching and transport of sixteen elements from fly ash into groundwater.
- To assess the spatial variability, contamination levels, and overall quality of groundwater near stackable fly ash deposits.
- To identify the sources and contributing factors of elemental contamination in groundwater.
Main Methods:
- Collection and analysis of 480 water samples from 20 monitoring wells over three sampling periods.
- Determination of concentrations for sixteen elements (Al, As, B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, V, Pb, Sb, Ni, Zn).
- Application of multivariate statistical approaches, including factor analysis and cluster analysis, to determine element origins and pollution levels.
Main Results:
- Water quality index (WQI) indicated that groundwater around fly ash is unsuitable for drinking.
- Arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), lead (Pb), aluminum (Al), and cadmium (Cd) were identified as dominant contaminants.
- Multivariate analysis identified five factor types explaining 75.66% of the variance, attributing specific elements to fly ash quality, leaching characteristics, water depth, and flow velocity.
- Cluster analysis classified wells into high and low pollution groups, linked to leaching solution and upper reaches activities.
- Hazard quotient and index (HQ/HI) revealed As, Sb, Cd, Pb, V, and Cr as major contributors to health risks.
Conclusions:
- Fly ash significantly impacts groundwater quality, rendering it unsafe for consumption.
- Elemental contamination in groundwater is a complex interplay of fly ash properties, hydrological factors, and natural sources.
- Specific elements like As, Sb, Pb, Cd, V, and Cr pose substantial health risks in areas surrounding coal fly ash disposal sites.
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