Very few studies have investigated the leaching characteristics of cement activated fly ash and slag treated soils, although the inclusion of cement significantly enhances the material pH and may alter the leachability of elements. In this study the leaching behavior and mechanisms of chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and sulfur (S) from cement activated fly ash and slag stabilized soils were evaluated. An array of synthetic precipitation leaching procedure (SPLP), batch water leach test (WLT), toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) and pH-Static leach tests were conducted. A geochemical equilibrium model Visual MINTEQ was implemented to identify the leaching controlling mechanisms of the metals. Results indicated that, the leached concentrations of Cr, Cu, Fe and S in SPLP, WLT and TCLP effluents were in the range of 0.016-0.74 mg/L, 0.013-0.17 mg/L, 0.019-0.27 mg/L and 1.78-234 mg/L, respectively. Quantitative comparisons between the standard test procedures suggested the necessity of multiple test methods for a comprehensive leaching assessment. Cr and Cu showed amphoteric leaching behaviors, whereas Fe and S followed cationic leaching patterns. According to the geochemical analyses, amorphous Cr(OH)3; tenorite and Cu(OH)2; ferrihydrite and goethite; gypsum and anhydrite; could control the leaching of Cr, Cu, Fe and S, respectively. The effluent Cr concentrations frequently exceeding the U.S. EPA specified maximum contaminant level of 0.1 mg/L. Yet, the use of cement activated fly ash and slag mixed soils could be beneficial, since less toxic trivalent Cr (III) was identified through geochemical modeling.
Keywords: Cement; Fly ash; Geochemical modeling; Metal leaching; Slag; Soil stabilization.
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