Leaching characteristics of wastes from Kemerkoy (Mugla-Turkey) power plant

A main problem related to coal ash disposal is the heavy metal content of the residue. In this regard,
experimental results of numerous studies have indicated that toxic trace metals may leach when fly ash
and bottom ash contacts with water.
In this study, fly ash and bottom ash samples obtained from Kemerköy thermal power plant, located on
the south-western coast of Turkey, were subjected to toxicity tests such as the extraction procedures
(EP) and toxicity characteristic leaching procedures (TCLP) of the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (U.S. EPA), the so-called Method A extraction procedure of the American Society of Testing
and Material (ASTM). When Pb and Cd concentrations, analysed according to EP and TCLP, were
considered, Kemerköy fly and bottom ash can be classified as a hazardous waste under the principles
of the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
Based on the geochemical analyses carried out, it was also determined that several toxic trace elements,
such as Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu and Co were enriched at the fly and bottom ash of Kemerköy thermal power plant.