The geochemistry and bioreactivity of fly-ash from coal-burning power stations.
Fly-ash is a byproduct of the combustion of coal in power stations for the generation of electricity. The fly-ash forms from the melting of incombustible minerals found naturally in the coal. The very high coal combustion temperatures result in the formation of microscopic glass particles from which minerals such as quartz, haematite and mullite can later recrystallize. In addition to these minerals, the glassy fly-ash contains a number of leachable metals. Mullite is a well-known material in the ceramics industry and a known respiratory hazard. Macroscopically mullite can be found in a large range of morphologies; however microscopic crystals appear to favour a fibrous habit. Fly-ash is a recognized bioreactive material in rat lung, generating hydroxyl radicals, releasing iron, and causing DNA damage. However, the mechanisms of the bioreactivity are still unclear and the relative contributions of the minerals and leachable metals to that toxicity are not well known.
Jones
Timothy
T
School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff, UK. JonesTP@cf.ac.uk
Wlodarczyk
Anna
A
Koshy
Lata
L
Brown
Patrick
P
Shao
Longyi
L
BéruBé
Kelly
K
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002244:Carbon / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D002681:China; D003031:Coal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D060729:Coal Ash; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D011210:Power Plants; D051381:Rats; D018570:Risk Assessment; D006113:United Kingdom
D000393:Air Pollutants; D015415:Biomarkers; D003031:Coal; D060729:Coal Ash; D052638:Particulate Matter; D002244:Carbon