Speciation and mobility of cadmium in straw and wood combustion fly ash

Chemosphere. 2001 Oct;45(1):123-8. doi: 10.1016/s0045-6535(01)00026-1.

Abstract

Two fly ashes from biomass combustion have been analysed regarding cadmium speciation and mobility. A fly ash from straw combustion contained 10 mg Cd/kg dry matter, and around 50% of the cadmium was leachable in water. The possible main speciation of cadmium in this fly ash was CdCl2. When adding this fly ash to agricultural soil a threat for groundwater contamination and plant uptake is existing. A fly ash from wood chip combustion had 28.6 mg Cd/kg dry matter. In this fly ash, the cadmium was bound more heavily, with only small amounts of cadmium leached in mild extractants. A possible speciation of cadmium in this fly ash was as oxide or as CdSiO3. Long-term effects and accumulation of cadmium could be a problem when adding this fly ash to agricultural or forest soils.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture
  • Biomass
  • Cadmium / analysis*
  • Environmental Monitoring*
  • Incineration
  • Refuse Disposal*
  • Soil Pollutants / analysis
  • Trees
  • Water Pollutants / analysis
  • Wood

Substances

  • Soil Pollutants
  • Water Pollutants
  • Cadmium