Work

Artificial Aggregates from Metallurgical Waste as a Potential Source of Groundwater and Soil Contamination

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Highly developed countries generate large volumes of industrial waste, the type and quantity of which are strongly linked to the characteristics of the industries that produce it. Industrial waste can adversely affect the environment, so its disposal and management are a major challenge. Understanding the characteristics of a given waste type (e.g., its chemical and phase composition, technical parameters and likelihood of releasing constituents into aquatic and soil environments) allows its potential economic applications to be determined. A simple application of mineral waste is in the production of artificial aggregates, which are increasingly used as a substitute for natural aggregates. In Poland, artificial aggregates are widely produced from metallurgical waste from steel and non-ferrous metallurgy, which may contain numerous components that are potentially environmentally damaging. Depending on their occurrence form (i.e., mineral composition), these contaminants have varying potential to be released into aquatic and soil environments. This study presents the results of mineral and chemical composition analyses and leachability tests conducted on aggregates produced from metallurgical waste, including slags from blast furnaces, steelmaking, Zn and Pb production, and Ni production. The studied aggregates are characterised by chemical and phase composition differences, resulting from the type of slag from which they originate. The chemical composition of blast furnace slag is dominated by CaO, SiO2, Fe2O3, and MgO; steelmaking slag by CaO, Fe2O3, and SiO2; Zn and Pb production slag by SiO2, Fe2O3, SO3, and CaO; and Ni production slag by SiO2, Fe2O3, CaO, and Al2O3. The phase composition of all the tested aggregates is dominated by silicates resistant to leaching (weathering), which results in low levels of Al, Ca, Cr, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cu, As, Sr and Ni leaching, not exceeding 1.6%.

Source: Minerals

DOI: 10.3390/min15101082

Authors: Katarzyna Nowińska, Jacek Nowak, Aleksandra Bartyzel, Magdalena Kokowska-Pawłowska, Krzysztof Kuliński

Institution: Silesian University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Recycling and utilization of industrial and municipal waste in materials production

Subfield: Building and Construction

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896