Incineration contributes about 10% of metals emission in Europe and leaching of metals from reuse or landfilling of incineration products remains a global concern. Thus, evaluating metal distribution in incineration residues is critical. The present study highlights the distribution of selected metals, Zn, Mn, Ni, Co, Fe, Cr, Al, Cu, and Pb, in incineration ashes in relation to incinerator capacities/sizes. Al was most distributed and Cd the least. Statistical evaluation with 2-factor ANOVA revealed significant variations (F > Fcrit, α = 0.05) were observed except in fluidised bed (FB) residues for Zn and Co. Also, except Co for samples of similar features from one location, and Pb in FB residues with no significant difference (p > 0.05), other metals varied statistically (p < 0.05). The degree of contamination (mCd), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), pollution load index (PLI) and potential ecological risk index (PERI) revealed all matrices had PLI > 1. Igeo revealed moderate to strong accumulation of Zn and Cu in all matrices except in 3 matrices for Cu while IMSW-BA showed strong Pb accumulation. Al, Mn and Fe showed low enrichment in all matrices except in 2 matrices for Cu. Zn and Pb were extremely enriched in IMSWA-BA. PERI placed FB-Gd and FB-Lz as ecologically low-risk, IMSW-BA and IMSW-APC as considerable ecological risk and other matrices were ecologically moderate risk. The study found that the content of metals in the incineration residues requires more sustainable ways of management and disposal of incineration products in Poland and elsewhere.
Authors
- dr inż. Bartłomiej Cieślik link open in new tab ,
- MSc Joachim Emeka Arikibe
Additional information
- DOI
- Digital Object Identifier link open in new tab 10.1007/s11270-024-07686-1
- Category
- Publikacja w czasopiśmie
- Type
- artykuły w czasopismach
- Language
- angielski
- Publication year
- 2025
