Comparison between laboratory and field leachability of MSWI bottom ash as a road material

Sci Total Environ. 2008 Jan 15;389(1):10-9. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.08.020. Epub 2007 Oct 29.

Abstract

The leaching properties of bottom ash from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) used as an aggregate substitute in unbound pavement layers are evaluated. The mechanical behaviour of bottom ash is acceptable for this application, but the potential environmental consequences constitute the most important limitation on the use of bottom ash as a road material. The environmental properties of bottom ash are assessed by means of the Dutch availability test NEN 7341 and the single-batch and two-stage batch European EN 12457 laboratory leaching tests. Furthermore, an experimental unbound pavement stretch is constructed to provide information on leaching behaviour under field conditions. In this high infiltration scenario, the results from predicted (based upon laboratory leaching tests) and measured releases (under field conditions) are compared, evidencing that predictions based on compliance leaching tests may be highly realistic. The depletion period of the extractable fraction of a number of elements in these field conditions is also quantified.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Construction Materials*
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Environmental Pollutants / analysis*
  • Environmental Pollutants / chemistry
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Incineration
  • Refuse Disposal / methods*
  • Soot / analysis*
  • Soot / chemistry
  • Transportation

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Soot