Leaching of ANC and Chromium from Concrete: Effect of Aging Simulated by Sample Carbonation

Abstract

Chemicals leached from concrete are an important way that urban stormwater can influence water quality. In this study, we evaluated the weathering properties of sidewalk samples and tested how carbonation (exposure to elevated levels of gaseous CO2) can be used to simulate natural aging of concrete. The experiments focused on acid neutralizing capacity (ANC), which is known to be released by concrete in large amounts, and Cr(VI), because of its established carcinogenicity and prevalence in concrete. Chemical weathering of crushed sidewalk samples was measured with upflow recirculating columns carrying simulated acid rain. The weathering rate of ANC from four different samples was found to decrease after 1 week of exposure to a 5% carbon dioxide atmosphere and to remain constant thereafter through 8 weeks of carbonation treatment. In contrast, weathering of chromium (VI) increased after exposure to a 5% carbon dioxide atmosphere for 1 week, though it also remained stable from then through 8 weeks of carbonation. Almost all ions approached steady state after 2.5 h in the recirculation columns irrespective of carbonation time. The main contributor of ANC was Ca2+ ion, though this was partly balanced by an unexpectedly high amount of SO42−. A notable exception to the temporal leaching pattern was largely un-ionized Si, which continued to increase in concentration for at least 3 days of recirculation. Si levels were also higher than is generally observed for aluminosilicate weathering in small watersheds, a novel finding.