Production, characterisation, utilisation, and beneficial soil application of steel slag: A review

James O'Connor; Thi Bang Tuyen Nguyen; Tom Honeyands; Brian Monaghan; Damien O'Dea; Jörg Rinklebe; Ajayan Vinu; Son A Hoang; Gurwinder Singh; M B Kirkham; Nanthi Bolan

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126478

Production, characterisation, utilisation, and beneficial soil application of steel slag: A review

J Hazard Mater. 2021 Oct 5:419:126478. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126478. Epub 2021 Jun 25.

Authors

James O'Connor¹, Thi Bang Tuyen Nguyen², Tom Honeyands³, Brian Monaghan⁴, Damien O'Dea⁵, Jörg Rinklebe⁶, Ajayan Vinu⁷, Son A Hoang⁸, Gurwinder Singh⁷, M B Kirkham⁹, Nanthi Bolan¹⁰

Affiliations

¹ College of Engineering, Science and Enviornment, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER), University of Newcastle, 70 Vale St, Shortland, NSW 2307, Australia.
² Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER), University of Newcastle, 70 Vale St, Shortland, NSW 2307, Australia.
³ Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER), University of Newcastle, 70 Vale St, Shortland, NSW 2307, Australia. Electronic address: tom.a.honeyands@newcastle.edu.au.
⁴ University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
⁵ BHP, 480 Queen St, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia.
⁶ University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water and Waste Management, Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285 Wuppertal, Germany; Department of Environment, Energy and Geoinformatics, Sejong University, 98 Gunja-Dong, Guangjin-Gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
⁷ Global Innovative Center for Advanced Nanomaterials, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308, NSW, Australia.
⁸ College of Engineering, Science and Enviornment, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
⁹ Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States.
¹⁰ College of Engineering, Science and Enviornment, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6001, Australia; The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6001, Australia.

PMID: 34323725
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126478

Abstract

Slags are a co-product produced by the steel manufacturing industry and have mainly been utilised for aggregates in concreting and road construction. The increased utilisation of slag can increase economic growth and sustainability for future generations by creating a closed-loop system, circular economy within the metallurgical industries. Slags can be used as a soil amendment, and slag characteristics may reduce leachate potential of heavy metals, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as contain essential nutrients required for agricultural use and environmental remediation. This review aims to examine various slag generation processes in steel plants, their physicochemical characteristics in relation to beneficial utilisation as a soil amendment, and environmental implications and risk assessment of their utilisation in agricultural soils. In relation to enhancing recycling of these resources, current and emerging techniques to separate iron and phosphorus slag compositions are also outlined in this review. Although there are no known immediate direct threats posed by slag on human health, the associated risks include potential heavy metal contamination, leachate contamination, and bioaccumulation of heavy metals in plants, thereby reaching the food chain. Further research in this area is required to assess the long-term effects of slag in agricultural soils on animal and human health.

Keywords: CO(2) sequestration; Enriched P slag; Fertiliser; Heavy metals; Liming agent; Remediation; Soil amendment; Steel slag.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Environmental Restoration and Remediation*
Humans
Metals, Heavy* / analysis
Soil
Soil Pollutants* / analysis
Steel

Substances

Metals, Heavy
Soil
Soil Pollutants
Steel