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Impact of Fly Ash from Coal-Fired Power Stations in Delhi, with Particular Reference to Metal Contamination

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Abstract

Indraprastha Power Station (IPP Stn) and Rajghat Power House (RPH), owned by Delhi Electric Supply Undertaking, are both coal-fired power stations located on Ring Road in New Delhi. Ash content of the coal used ranges between 38–47%. The ash is collected in electrostatic precipitators which have an efficiency of 99.3% (IPP station), and 99.7% (RPH). There are instances of major dust pollution around the power stations from fly ash dispersal. The main method of disposal of fly ash from the power stations is by mixing with water, the resultant slurry is pumped through pipes to ash disposal ponds. The supernatant from these ponds is discharged into River Yamuna. Field studies have revealed large quantities of fly ash being deposited into the river. Local populations of Eichhornia crassipes have reduced dramatically between 1987–1995, with a marked reduction in the year 1994–1995. Field studies, conducted in January, 1995 have investigated the impact of fly ash dispersal in the Delhi region with particular reference to metal contamination. Elemental concentrations for a range of elements are determined by ICP-AES in fly ash and top soils along four transects from the power stations up to a distance of 8 km. The effects of fly ash leachates from the ash settling ponds on the river are determined by analyzing river overbank soils and vegetation for their elemental contents. It is concluded that fly ash dispersal from the stacks are a source of alkali, alkaline-earth and to some extent heavy metals in soils in the vicinity of the power stations, and enrichment of elements in river overbank soils are a result of discharge of fly ash leachates from ash disposal ponds. However, the impact from both these sources of metal contamination is not large enough to give cause for concern. Marked reduction in populations of Eichhornia crassipes downstream of the river where it receives leachates from the ash disposal ponds are attributed to turbidity of the ash pond leachates and metal toxicity. Elemental enrichment in the floodplain soils, as a result of fly ash particle deposition during monsoons, may enhance the horticultural value of these soils as is shown by a healthy cultivated crop of Brassica juncea.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental and Applied Sciences, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby, DE22 1GB, UK

    A. Mehra

  2. Environmental Geochemistry Research Group, Centre for Environmental Technology, Royal School of Mines, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Prince Consort Road, London, SW7 2BP, UK

    M. E. Farago

  3. School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India

    D. K. Banerjee

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  1. A. Mehra
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  2. M. E. Farago
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Mehra, A., Farago, M.E. & Banerjee, D.K. Impact of Fly Ash from Coal-Fired Power Stations in Delhi, with Particular Reference to Metal Contamination. Environ Monit Assess 50, 15–35 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005860015123

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