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Salas I, Cifrian E, Soriano L, Monzó J, Andrés A. Environmental assessment of alkali-activated materials based on agro-industrial waste as alkaline activators through leaching tests. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 368:122265. [PMID: 39191052 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 08/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Global circular economy drives the development of sustainable alkali activated materials (AAM) for use as construction material from industrial by-products and wastes. The assessment of the potentially hazardous substances release of these new material combinations into the soil and groundwater over time is essential. In this study, the aim is the environmental assessment of three AAMs based on blast furnace slag (BFS), activated with almond shell biomass ash (ABA) as potassium source and three solid sources of silica from the agricultural industry, rice husk ash (RHA), spent diatomaceous earth (SDE) and bamboo leaf ash (BLA), using European horizontal leaching tests proposed for construction materials, for monolithic form, Dynamic Surface Leaching Test (DSLT) and for granular form, Up-flow Percolation Test and the Compliance leaching test, by simulating different scenarios of their entire life cycle. The leaching results of the AAM showed the effectiveness of the inertization of all the recycled materials studied, which exceeded some inert materials limits, by means of the activation process. Despite the absence of significant differences in the leaching mechanisms of the oxyanions As, Cr, Mo, Sb, Se and V between the three AAMs developed, they presented different long-term leaching behavior depending on their form, monolithic, or granular, and therefore in their different life cycle stages. Therefore, it is concluded that although the incorporation of agro-industrial waste as alternative activators in BFS based AAM according to the Dutch Soil Quality Decree (for unrestricted use of monolithic and granular materials) is an environmentally acceptable option, the design of waste derived AAMs should be assessed by means of a combination of leaching tests that cover their expected life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván Salas
- GER - Green Engineering and Resources Research Group, Department of Chemistry and Process & Resources Engineering - ETSIIT, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Eva Cifrian
- GER - Green Engineering and Resources Research Group, Department of Chemistry and Process & Resources Engineering - ETSIIT, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Lourdes Soriano
- GIQUIMA - Research Group of Building Materials Chemistry, Institute of Concrete Science and Technology (ICITECH), Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - José Monzó
- GIQUIMA - Research Group of Building Materials Chemistry, Institute of Concrete Science and Technology (ICITECH), Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ana Andrés
- GER - Green Engineering and Resources Research Group, Department of Chemistry and Process & Resources Engineering - ETSIIT, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain.
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Kim R, Jo J, Yoon H, Park JW. Ultra-high performance concrete alleviates ecotoxicological effects in aquatic organisms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 928:172538. [PMID: 38636863 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
With the advancement of cementitious material technologies, ultra-high performance concretes incorporating nano- and(or) micro-sized particle materials have been developed; however, their environmental risks are still poorly understood. This study investigates the ecotoxicological effects of ultra-high performance concrete (UC) leachate by comparing with that of the conventional concrete (CC) leachate. For this purpose, a dynamic leaching test and a battery test with algae, water flea, and zebrafish were performed using standardized protocols. The conductivity, concentration of inorganic elements (Al, K, Na, and Fe), and total organic concentration were lower in the UC leachate than in the CC leachate. The EC50 values of the CC and UC leachates were 44.9 % and >100 % in algae, and 8.0 % and 63.1 % in water flea, respectively. All zebrafish exposed to the CC and UC leachates survived. A comprehensive evaluation of the ecotoxicity of the CC and UC leachate based on the toxicity classification system (TCS) showed that their toxicity classification was "highly acute toxicity" and "acute toxicity", respectively. Based on the hazard quotient and principal component analysis, Al and(or) K could be significant factors determining the ecotoxicity of concrete leachate. Furthermore, the ecotoxicity of UC could not be attributed to the use of silica-based materials or multi-wall carbon nanotubes. This study is the first of its kind on the ecotoxicity of UC leachate in aquatic environments, and the results of this study can be used to develop environment-friendly UC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Kim
- Environmental Exposure & Toxicology Research Center, Korea Institute of Toxicology (KIT), Jinju 52834, Republic of Korea; Department of Ocean Integrated Science, Chonnam National University, Yeosu 59626, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungman Jo
- Environmental Exposure & Toxicology Research Center, Korea Institute of Toxicology (KIT), Jinju 52834, Republic of Korea
| | - Hakwon Yoon
- Environmental Exposure & Toxicology Research Center, Korea Institute of Toxicology (KIT), Jinju 52834, Republic of Korea; Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea.
| | - June-Woo Park
- Environmental Exposure & Toxicology Research Center, Korea Institute of Toxicology (KIT), Jinju 52834, Republic of Korea; Human and Environmental Toxicology Program, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), 217, Gajeong-ro, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea.
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Deng YJ, Yue ZX, Wang ZJ, Huang Q, Yang XL. Optimization and mechanism of the novel eco-friendly additives for solidification and stabilization of dredged sediment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:25964-25977. [PMID: 38492144 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32865-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Solidification/stabilization technology is commonly used in the rehabilitation of dredged sediment due to its cost-effectiveness. However, traditional solidification/stabilization technology relies on cement, which increases the risk of soil alkalization and leads to increased CO2 emissions during cement production. To address this issue, this study proposed an innovative approach by incorporating bentonite and citrus peel powder as additives in the solidifying agent, with the aim of reducing cement usage in the dredged sediment solidification process. The research results showed that there is a significant interaction among cement, bentonite, and citrus peel powder. After response surface methodology (RSM) optimization, the optimal ratio of the cementitious mixture was determined to be 14.86 g/kg for cement, 5.85 g/kg for bentonite, and 9.31 g/kg for citrus peel powder. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the solidified sediments reached 3144.84 kPa. The reaction products of the solidification materials, when mixed with sediment, facilitated adsorption, gelation, and network structure connection. Simultaneously, the leaching concentration of heavy metals was significantly decreased with five heavy metals (Zn, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) leaching concentrations decreasing by more than 50%, which met the prescribed thresholds for green planting. This study demonstrated the ecological benefits of employing bentonite and citrus peel powder in the solidification process of dredged sediment, providing an effective solution for sediment solidification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jia Deng
- School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Dong Nan Da Xue Road 2, Nanjing, 211189, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Xuan Yue
- School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Dong Nan Da Xue Road 2, Nanjing, 211189, People's Republic of China
| | - Zi-Jie Wang
- School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Dong Nan Da Xue Road 2, Nanjing, 211189, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Huang
- School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Dong Nan Da Xue Road 2, Nanjing, 211189, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Li Yang
- School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Dong Nan Da Xue Road 2, Nanjing, 211189, People's Republic of China.
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Santos J, Rodríguez-Romero A, Cifrian E, Maldonado-Alameda A, Chimenos JM, Andrés A. Eco-toxicity assessment of industrial by-product-based alkali-activated binders using the sea urchin embryogenesis bioassay. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 341:118100. [PMID: 37209591 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
New cement-based materials such as alkali-activated binders (AABs) or geopolymers allow the incorporation of waste or industrial by-products in their formulation, resulting an interesting valorization technique. Therefore, it is essential to inquire about the potential environmental and health impacts throughout their life cycle. In the European context, a minimum aquatic toxicity tests battery has been recommended for construction products, but their potential biological effects on marine ecosystems have not been considered. In this study, three industrial by-products, PAVAL® (PV) aluminum oxide, weathered bottom ash (WBA) resulting from incinerator bottom ash and glass cullet recycling waste (CSP), were evaluated as precursors in the AAB formulation from an environmental point of view. To determine the potential effects on marine environment caused by the leaching of contaminants from these materials into seawater, the leaching test EN-12457-2 and an ecotoxicity test using the model organism sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus were conducted. The percentage of abnormal larval development was selected as endpoint of the toxicity test. Based on the results obtained from the toxicity tests, AABs have less damaging impact (EC50 values: 49.2%-51.9%) on the marine environment in general than raw materials. The results highlight the need to stablish a specific battery of toxicity tests for the environmental assessment of construction products on marine ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Santos
- GER Green Engineering and Resources Group, Department of Chemistry and Process & Resource Engineering, ETSIIT, University of Cantabria, 39005, Santander, Spain
| | - A Rodríguez-Romero
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Marine Research (INMAR), University of Cádiz, Puerto Real, 11510, Cádiz, Spain
| | - E Cifrian
- GER Green Engineering and Resources Group, Department of Chemistry and Process & Resource Engineering, ETSIIT, University of Cantabria, 39005, Santander, Spain
| | - A Maldonado-Alameda
- DIOPMA Design and Optimization of Processes and Materials, Department of Materials Science and Physical Chemistry, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J M Chimenos
- DIOPMA Design and Optimization of Processes and Materials, Department of Materials Science and Physical Chemistry, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Andrés
- GER Green Engineering and Resources Group, Department of Chemistry and Process & Resource Engineering, ETSIIT, University of Cantabria, 39005, Santander, Spain.
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Effect of Temperature and Humidity on the Synthesis of Alkali-Activated Binders Based on Bottom Ash from Municipal Waste Incineration. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14031848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Weathered bottom ash (WBA) from municipal solid waste incineration is a calcium aluminosilicate-rich material mainly used in construction and civil engineering as a secondary aggregate. However, its use is also being considered as a precursor in the manufacture of alkali-activated binders (AA-WBA). This preliminary research aimed to deepen understanding of the potential use of WBA (>8 mm fraction) as the sole precursor of alkali-activated binders. To gain better knowledge of this material, the physicochemical, mechanical, and environmental properties of AA-WBA binders were evaluated. In addition, the effect of curing temperature (25 °C, 45 °C, 65 °C, and 85 °C) and humidity conditions (oven and climate chamber) were assessed. The results of this study revealed that temperature and humidity conditions play a fundamental role during the early formation stages of AA-WBA binders. Maximum compactness and compressive strength (29.8 MPa) were obtained in the sample cured at 65 °C in the oven and room humidity. At higher temperatures (85 °C), a substantial decrease in mechanical strength (21.2 MPa) was observed due to a lower cohesion of the binder phases. Curing in the climate chamber led to an increase in humidity, and therefore a decrease in compressive strength. Finally, lower porosity and longer curing time substantially decreased the heavy metals and metalloid leaching concentration of AA-WBA binders.
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