Chuncai Zhou

The environmental characteristics of usage of coal gangue in bricking-making: a case study at Huainan, China.

The behaviors of natural radionuclides and toxic elements during coal gangue brick making processes are described. A simulation experiment of coal gangue brick firing was carried out to evaluate the enrichments of natural radionuclides and volatilizations of elements. Simultaneous sampling of coal gangue and corresponding combustion product (slag) was performed. The radioactivities of the radionuclide were determined by high-purity germanium gamma ray spectrometer, and the concentrations of toxic elements were analyzed by ICP-MS. Results have shown that the level of natural radionuclides may not cause immediate or acute environmental impacts because the Raeq values and Hex (in the brick) are 345 Bq kg(-1) and 0.89, lower than the limit values of 370 Bq kg(-1) and 1, respectively. However, the Raeq and Hex values are near the limit values, their chronic-environmental and health impacts should be considered noteworthy. The elements found in the emission could be categorized into two types: non-volatilized elements (Co, Cr, Mn and V) and volatilized elements (As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Se, Sn and Zn). Understanding the behaviors of natural radionuclides and toxic elements during brick making processes is helpful for the assessment of their potential impacts to human health and the environment.

Co-combustion of bituminous coal and biomass fuel blends: Thermochemical characterization, potential utilization and environmental advantage.

The thermochemical characteristics and gaseous trace pollutant behaviors during co-combustion medium-to-low ash bituminous coal with typical biomass residues (corn stalk and sawdust) were investigated. Lowering of ignition index, burnout temperature and activation energy in the major combustion stage are observed in the coal/biomass blends. The blending proportion of 20% and 30% are regarded as the optimum blends for corn stalk and sawdust, respectively, in according the limitations of heating value, activation energy, flame stability and base/acid ratio. The reductions of gaseous As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) were 4.5%, 7.8%, 6.3%, 9.8%, 9.4% and 17.4%, respectively, when co-combustion coal with 20% corn stalk. The elevated capture of trace elements were found in coal/corn stalk blend, while the coal/sawdust blend has the better PAHs control potential. The reduction mechanisms of gaseous trace pollutants were attributed to the fuel property, ash composition and relative residence time during combustion.

Investigation on thermal and trace element characteristics during co-combustion biomass with coal gangue

The thermochemical behaviors during co-combustion of coal gangue (CG), soybean stalk (SS), sawdust (SD) and their blends prepared at different ratios have been determined via thermogravimetric analysis. The simulate experiments in a fixed bed reactor were performed to investigate the partition behaviors of trace elements during co-combustion. The combustion profiles of biomass was more complicated than that of coal gangue. Ignition property and thermal reactivity of coal gangue could be enhanced by the addition of biomass. No interactions were observed between coal gangue and biomass during co-combustion. The volatilization ratios of trace elements decrease with the increasing proportions of biomass in the blends during co-combustion. Based on the results of heating value, activation energy, base/acid ratio and gaseous pollutant emissions, the blending ratio of 20-30% biomass content is regarded as optimum composition for blending and could be applied directly at current combustion application with few modifications.

Biochemical responses of the mycorrhizae in Pinus massoniana to combined effects of Al, Ca and low pH.

Biochemical responses of Pinus massoniana, with and without the inoculation mycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus tinctorius at the root, to artificial acid rain (pH 2.0) and various Ca/Al ratios were investigated. Some enzymes associated with the nutritive metabolism, such as acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, nitrate reductase, mannitol dehydrogenase and trehalase, in the roots, stems and leaves of plant were obviously inhibited by the artificial acid rain and Al. After treatment with pH 2.0 + Ca/Al (0/1 or 1/10) artificial acid rain, the protein content in the organs was decreased. However, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) and glutathione (GSH) concentrations were induced. It demonstrated that acid rain and Al could induce oxygen radicals in plant. Compared with the treatments with lower pH or Al, respectively, the combination of lower pH and Al concentration was more toxic to P. massoniana. Al toxicity could be ameliorated by the addition of Ca and the amelioration was the most when the ratio was 1/1 among the various Ca/Al ratio. Infection with mycorrhizal fungus P. tinctorius at the root of P. massoniana increased the ability of the plant to resist the toxicity of artificial acid rain and Al stress.

Combustion characteristics and arsenic retention during co-combustion of agricultural biomass and bituminous coal

A combination of thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and laboratory-scale circulated fluidized bed combustion experiment was conducted to investigate the thermochemical, kinetic and arsenic retention behavior during co-combustion bituminous coal with typical agricultural biomass. Results shown that ignition performance and thermal reactivity of coal could be enhanced by adding biomass in suitable proportion. Arsenic was enriched in fly ash and associated with fine particles during combustion of coal/biomass blends. The emission of arsenic decreased with increasing proportion of biomass in blends. The retention of arsenic may be attributed to the interaction between arsenic and fly ash components. The positive correlation between calcium content and arsenic concentration in ash suggesting that the arsenic-calcium interaction may be regarded as the primary mechanism for arsenic retention.

The environmental geochemistry of trace elements and naturally radionuclides in a coal gangue brick-making plant.

An investigation focused on the transformation and distribution behaviors of trace elements and natural radionuclides around a coal gangue brick plant was conducted. Simultaneous sampling of coal gangue, brick, fly ash and flue gas were implemented. Soil, soybean and earthworm samples around the brick plant were also collected for comprehensive ecological assessment. During the firing process, trace elements were released and redistributed in the brick, fly ash and the flue gas. Elements can be divided into two groups according to their releasing characteristics, high volatile elements (release ratio higher than 30%) are represented by Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se and Sn, which emitted mainly in flue gas that would travel and deposit at the northeast and southwest direction around the brick plant. Cadmium, Ni and Pb are bio-accumulated in the soybean grown on the study area, which indicates potential health impacts in case of human consumption. The high activity of natural radionuclides in the atmosphere around the plant as well as in the made-up bricks will increase the health risk of respiratory system.

Lead in soil and agricultural products in the Huainan Coal Mining Area, Anhui, China: levels, distribution, and health implications

Heavy metal accumulation in agricultural soil is of great concern, as heavy metals can be finally transferred to the human body through the food chain. A field survey was conducted to investigate the lead (Pb) levels and distribution in soil, agricultural products (wheat, paddy, and soybean), and fish, in the Huainan Coal Mining Area (HCMA), Anhui Province, China, to provide reference information to local inhabitants. The daily intake and target hazard quotients of Pb through food consumption were assessed. Results showed that the mean Pb concentration in soil was higher than the Huainan soil background Pb value but lower than the maximum allowance Pb concentration for agricultural soil (GB 15618-2008). The elevated Pb in soil, especially in rainy months (June to August in Huainan), might be related to Pb leaching from ambient coal gangue piles. Excessive Pb concentration was found in the grains of food crops, which would pose a potential health risk to local inhabitants. Therein, wheat showed higher Pb bioaccumulation ability than other crops. With regard to the Pb levels in muscles, fishes were considered to be safe for consumption. The calculations on daily intake and tolerable hazard quotient of Pb suggest that the potential health hazard posed by Pb is currently insignificant for the inhabitants in the HCMA.

Distribution and assessment of Pb in the supergene environment of the Huainan Coal Mining Area, Anhui, China

Coal mining area is highly subject to lead (Pb) pollution from coal mining activities. Several decades of coal mining and processing practices in dozens of coal mines in the Huainan Coal Mining Area (HCMA) have led to the accumulation of massive amounts of coal gangue, which piled in dumps. In order to investigate the impacts of coal gangue dumps on Pb level in the supergene media of the HCMA, a systematic sampling campaign comprising coal gangue, soil, wheat, and earthworm samples was conducted. The average Pb content in the coal mining area soil is 24xa0mg/kg, which is slightly higher than the associated coal gangues (23xa0mg/kg) and markedly higher than reference region soil (12.6xa0mg/kg). Soil in the HCMA present a slight to moderate Pb contamination, which might be related to the weathering and leaching of coal gangue dumps. Lateral distribution of Pb in HCMA soil differed among individual coal mines. The soil profile distribution of Pb depends on both natural and anthropogenic contributions. Average Pb content is higher in roots than in stems, leaves, and wheat husks, while the Pb level in seeds exceeded the maximum Pb allowance for foods (Maximum Levels of Contaminants in Foods of China, GB 2762–2012). Earthworms in the selected area are significantly enriched in Pb, suggesting higher bio-available Pb level in soil in the HCMA.

Biochemical and cytological responses of ectomycorrhizae in Pinus massoniana to artificial acid rain

The effects of artificial acid rain on the formation, development, and the activity of enzyme in ectomycorrhizae of Pinus massoniana were investigated. The comparison of the fungi, roots of plant and ectomycorrhizal roots suggested that infection with ectomycorrhizal fungi could stimulate the activities of acid phosphatase and nitrate reductase in roots of plant. Light acid rain (pH 4.5) stimulated the occurrence of ectomycorrhizae. Serious acid rain (pH lower than 3.0) inhibited the activities of enzyme and disturbed the cytological structure though the enzymes showed higher activity in ectomycorrhizae compared with that in nonectomycorrhizae. In contrast, lower pH stimulated the activity of superoxide dismutase and it showed the highest activity in non-mycorrhizae at pH 2.2. Furthermore, the enzyme activity in the root infected with mixed mycelia of three fungal species had a stronger response to acid rain than that in the root infected with single specie. The probable mechanisms of the resistance and response of ectomycorrhizae to acid rain were discussed.

Atmospheric emissions of toxic elements (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) from brick making plants in China

A multiple-year emission inventory of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb from brick making plants in China has been first established for the period 2008–2013 by employing the available emission factors and annual activity data. The atmospheric emissions of toxic elements were determined by a bottom-up methodology with the provincial-level statistical data on raw materials (coal, coal gangue, coal ash and clay) consumption and the reasonable emission factors of toxic elements. The provincial average concentrations of toxic elements in different raw materials were elaborately reviewed and calculated with multiple statistical mean calculation methods. Simulation experiments were performed to determine the emission factors of toxic elements from different raw materials. The results show that the total national emissions of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb from brick-making plants have been increasing to 644.05 t, 94.96 t, 9.71 t, and 3269.79 t in 2013, at an annual average growth rate of 22.8%, 25.6%, 19.2%, and 24.6% due to the lack of atmospheric pollutant control devices, respectively, which are higher than that of emissions from coal-fired plants (except for Hg) in China. Coal ash is the main source of As, Cd, and Pb emissions, accounting for 87.9%, 89.5%, and 88.4% of the respective total emissions due to the high consumption with high concentration and emission factor of TE. Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan and Guangxi are the largest emitting provinces. Advanced technologies and integrated countermeasures to control toxic elements from brick making plants are urgently needed.