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. 2014 Aug 28:4:6221.
doi: 10.1038/srep06221.

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

Chuncai Zhou  1 , Guijian Liu  2 , Siwei Cheng  3 , Ting Fang  3 , Paul K S Lam  4
Affiliations

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

Chuncai Zhou et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. The mineral characteristics of coal gangue and brick.
K- kaolinite, I- illite, Q- quartz, Ch- chlorite, An- ankerite, D- dolomite, C- calcite, P-pyrite, M- mullite, H- hematite, L- lime, Ma- magnetite.
Figure 2
Figure 2. The distribution of toxic elements in soil around the brick plant.
NW- northwest, NE- northeast, SW- Southwest, SE- southeast.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Location of sampling sites around the brick plant.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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