Environmental potential assessment of MSWI bottom ash-based alkali-activated binders

Alkali-activated binders (AABs) stand out as a sustainable alternative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) as they can be formulated using by-products or waste as raw materials. However, the presence of hazardous compounds in residues can lead to an increase in AABs' toxicity due to the highly al...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Maldonado Alameda, Alex, Giró Paloma, Jessica, Rodríguez-Romero, Adela, Serret, Joan, Menargues Baños, Ángel, Andrés Payán, Ana María, Chimenos Ribera, Josep Ma.
Formato: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2021
País:España
Recursos:Universidad de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de la UB
OAI Identifier:oai:diposit.ub.edu:2445/176604
Acesso em linha:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/176604
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palavra-chave:Materials de construcció
Toxicologia ambiental
Metalls pesants
Building materials
Environmental toxicology
Heavy metals
Descrição
Resumo:Alkali-activated binders (AABs) stand out as a sustainable alternative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) as they can be formulated using by-products or waste as raw materials. However, the presence of hazardous compounds in residues can lead to an increase in AABs' toxicity due to the highly alkaline media. Therefore, it is extremely important to evaluate their environmental risks to validate their use as building materials. This study environmentally assessed AABs prepared with two different fractions (0-30-mm and 8-30-mm) of weathered bottom ash (AA-WBA) from WtE plants. The potential leachate toxicity of AA-WBA was assessed using granular and monolithic leaching tests that simulated end-of-life and service life scenarios, respectively. Furthermore, an acute toxicity test with crustacean Daphnia magna as model organisms was conducted to determine the relationship between the leachate metal(loid) concentrations and the ecotoxicity of AA-WBA. The results showed higher metal(loid) concentrations in AA-WBA specimens prepared with the 0-30-mm fraction of WBA. The service life scenario revealed multiple metal(loid)-release mechanisms. The 48-hour EC50 value (close to 10%; moderate toxicity) indicated that the use of the coarse fraction of WBA increased the immobilisation of the metal(loid)s. Finally, the correlation between the concentrations of some of the metal(loid)s and toxicity was demonstrated.