A SEM and X-ray study for investigation of solidified/stabilized arsenic-iron hydroxide sludge

J Hazard Mater. 2005 Feb 14;118(1-3):185-95. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2004.10.019.

Abstract

Despite the fact that the solidification/stabilization of arsenic containing wastes with Portland cement and lime has an extensively documented history of use, the physical and chemical phenomena as a result of the interaction between arsenic and cement components have not been fully characterized. The study investigates the behavior of synthesized arsenic-iron hydroxide sludge, the by-product of arsenic removal by coagulation with ferric chloride, in solidified/stabilized matrices as well as its binding mechanisms by exploring the cementitious matrices in the micro-scale by scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDS). It was revealed that arsenic can be chemically fixed into cementitious environment of the solidified/stabilized matrices by three important immobilization mechanisms; sorption onto C-S-H surface, replacing SO4(2-) of ettringite, and reaction with cement components to form calcium-arsenic compounds, the solubility limiting phases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arsenic / analysis
  • Arsenic / chemistry*
  • Construction Materials*
  • Iron / analysis
  • Iron / chemistry*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Soil Pollutants / analysis*
  • Waste Management
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Soil Pollutants
  • Iron
  • Arsenic