R. C. Tripathi

Fate of radionuclides present in Indian fly ashes on its application as soil ameliorant

Natural radioactivity depends primarily on the geological and geographical conditions, and appears at different levels in the soils. Coal contains various organic and inorganic substances including trace quantities of the naturally occurring radionuclides, which are of human health concern. The combustion of coals releases natural radioactive elements in the form of their oxides to the environment. In view of the current researches on fly ash (FA) applications as soil ameliorants, the present study deals with the presence of the natural radionuclides ((226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K) in the coal ash and their mobilisation through the amendment of coal ash to the soil and crop produce. The study shows the variation in the content of radionuclides in soil, FA and crop produce depending on types of soil and FA, mobilisation of the radionuclides from soil/FA to the plant and interactions between radionuclides and soil, etc. The content of the radionuclides in the soil, FA and crop produce is within the permissible limits.

Impact of coal industries on the quality of Damodar river water

Increasing demand for water in domestic, agricultural, and industrial sectors necessitates exploitation of water either in the form of groundwater or from natural resources. To safeguard the long-term sustainability of water resources and their utilization, the quality of water has to be periodically monitored and determined for various characteristics, especially when the sources are polluted, such as Damodar river. Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR), Dhanbad, is carrying out research work on coal and its utilization and associated environmental concerns. The blood stream of life for the whole Jharia Coalfield is none other than the river Damodar. CIMFRs campus also depends exclusively on river Damodar for meeting its demand of drinking water. This study is a general survey toward the characteristics of Damodar river water, with special emphasis on the pollutant parameters, and evaluation of the treatment process being carried out at the institute for potability. Damodar river water is indeed affected by the disposal of the wastes without any pre-treatment by different coal-based industries established in its basin. The quantity of dissolved and suspended solids, total hardness, chemical oxygen demand, and coliform bacterial count are higher in Damodar water due to the disposal of the waste/effluents from coal-washing plants, coke ovens, cement, and other industries, but well within the permissible limit which is probably attributable to the high-carrying capacity of the river. The river is still not that much affected as it is usually apprehended, and it can be well utilized for potable and domestic purposes after simple treatment.

Impact of Fly Ash Application on Trace Metal Contents in Some Root Crops

Abstract Fly ash, a solid waste being generated during power generation in thermal power plants, contains most of the plant nutrients in sufficient quantities, which holds great promise for its bulk use in agriculture as a soil conditioner for reclamation of acidic soil and as a source of plant nutrients for the deficient soils. The beneficial inherent properties of fly ash prompted us to study its effect on the growth of different root crops under green house conditions. The present article deals with yield of various root crops grown with fly ash and mass balance of the trace elements in soil, fly ash, and crop produce.

Effect of Radionuclides Present in Lignite Fly Ash on Soil and Crop Produce

AbstractCoal/lignite contains various organic and inorganic substances including trace quantities of radionuclides. The coal releases some natural radioactive elements in the form of their oxides ultimately to the environment during its combustion and redistributes these radioactive elements in the surface soil, which are of human health concern. In view of the current research on fly ash as soil ameliorant, the present study deals with the presence of three natural radionuclides (Ra226, Th232, and K40) in the lignite fly ash and their mobilization through the amendment of lignite fly ash to the soil and crop produce. The study shows the variation in the content of radionuclides in soil, lignite fly ash, and crop produce depending on types of soil and fly ash; mobilization of the radionuclides from soil/fly ash to the plant, and interactions between radionuclides and soil, etc. The content of the radionuclides in the soil, lignite fly ash, and crop produce is within the permissible limits.

A comparative study on field scale demonstration of fly ash and pond ash for cultivation of maize-groundnut crops in sequence on a wasteland

ABSTRACT In India, the major source of energy is thermal power plants that contribute about 70% of the total energy requirement and produce a huge amount of fly ash per year. The fly ash and pond ash collected from the Ramagundam Super Thermal Power Station, India, were mixed with soil at different doses, 50, 100, and 200 t ha−1 separately to compare their impact on crop yield and soil characteristics. Ash application had a beneficial effect on the crop yield, apart from reduction in the required doses of chemical fertilizers by half of the recommended doses. Addition of ash resulted in a significant increase in the contents of N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, and micro-nutrients in maize and groundnut crop produce. The uptake of toxic trace elements (Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Pb, and Ni) was below the threshold levels. The residual effect of ash on crop yield and the nutrient composition of the subsequent maize and groundnut crops was also significant. The overall beneficial effect of ash could be attributed to the improvement in the soil. The results indicated that both the ashes could be applied safely for reclamation of uncultivated wastelands and pond ash is found to be better than the fly ash.

Impact of heavy metals in Indian fly ashes on its application as soil ameliorant

ABSTRACT Coal contains various organic and inorganic substances including trace quantities of the heavy metals. Therefore, the combustion of coals releases some of the ultimately to the environment of some heavy metals elements in the form of their oxides and in a redistribution of these heavy metals in the surface soil and water bodies, particularly in the vicinity of coal-fired power plants. The fly ash and pond ash of different thermal power stations of India were mixed with soil at different doses separately to compare their impact on crop produce and soil. The present study deals with the presence of the heavy metals in the coal ash and its movement through the amendment of coal ash to the soil and crop produce.

Large-Scale Use of Pond Ash for Reclamation of Waste/Alkaline Land for Agriculture

AbstractIn India, thermal power plants presently produce 118×106  t of coal ash per annum, which is projected to exceed 440×106  t per annum by 2030. This huge quantity of coal ash not only has tremendous environmental concerns but also occupies large areas of land for its dumping, requiring urgent and appropriate measures for its safe disposal and gainful utilization on sustainable basis. In addition, reclamation of a vast area of wasteland for agriculture and forestry is another challenge for the country’s fast-growing population. The Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research has carried out a detailed study on the bulk utilization of coal ash in agriculture and forestry sectors under different agroclimatic conditions and soil types for last two decades. The demonstration studies for the popularization purpose were carried out in the waste/alkaline lands of farmers’ fields and the results of such investigations are reported in this paper. The productivity of various crops grown in the ash-amended tr...