Abstract
Heavy metal content of high load ashes applied on the ground during severe forest fires may be released into rainwater, and through it, they can either penetrate into the ground water or be washed out into water receivers, causing a severe environmental problem. The chemical composition of two dominant Greek forest species (Pinus halepensis, Quercus coccifera) ashes was determined before and after leaching. The ash samples were similar to those obtained in actual forest fires and two leaching tests (column and shake leaching test) were employed using aqueous solutions of pH = 6 and 1. For the analysis of ashes (prior to and after leaching), the following analytical techniques were used: X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis. For the analysis of leachates ion chromatography and inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry were used. At pH = 6 (rainwater conditions) some elements were released (i.e., 95% Cr, 70% Pb). The release of Cr is up to 95% for P. halepensis and 76% for Q. coccifera. The total amount of some toxic elements recovered (i.e., Cd) was up to 99%. As expected, at pH = 1 the majority of metallic elements were almost completely recovered. Knowledge of the leaching properties of Mediterranean forest species ashes is very important for evaluating their impact on the environment (soil and ground and underground water streams).
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Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the Operational Program for Educational and Vocational Training II (EPEAEK II) and particularly the Program PYTHAGORAS, for financially supporting the work. The project is cofunded by the European Social Fund (75%) and National Resources (25%).
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Liodakis, S., Tsoukala, M. & Katsigiannis, G. Laboratory Study of Leaching Properties of Mediterranean Forest Species Ashes. Water Air Soil Pollut 203, 99–107 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-009-9994-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-009-9994-y