We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Leaching Agent and Iron Distribution Co-Treatment Regulates the Distribution and Migration of Pollutants in Heap-Leached MSWI-BA
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how different chemical leaching agents and iron placement affect the movement of microplastics and heavy metals through incineration ash when it leaches — finding that sodium carbonate dramatically increased microplastic mobility by 49% and heavy metal concentrations by up to 40-fold compared to controls, with iron placement further amplifying these effects. The findings have practical implications for how ash from waste-burning facilities is stockpiled and managed, since improper handling could allow microplastics and toxic metals to migrate into soil and groundwater. Incineration ash landfills represent an underappreciated reservoir of microplastic contamination.
This study investigated the combined effects of leaching agents and iron distribution on the migration behavior of pollutants in municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash (MSWI-BA). A column leaching experiment was designed where the control group (CK) employed deionized water with uniformly distributed iron. This baseline was systematically compared against treatment groups involving two leaching agents (Na2CO3, Na2SO4) and three iron distribution scenarios (Top, Bottom, and Removal). Compared to the CK, the introduction of Na2CO3 significantly intensified pollutant mobilization: the abundance of microplastics (MPs) increased by 49.33%, chloride leaching rose by 189.99%, and heavy metal (HM) concentrations (Cu, Cr, Pb, As) surged by 2.0–40.6 times. Furthermore, iron distribution played a critical regulatory role; specifically, manipulating iron placement further elevated MP abundance by 80.2% and chloride leaching by 191.03%. Morphological analysis indicated that MPs primarily existed as transparent or yellow particles, films, and fibers, characteristics that remained stable across treatments. Crucially, these findings offer engineering insights for real-world scenarios: retaining a bottom iron-rich layer during stockpiling can act as a reactive barrier to intercept pollutants, whereas carbonate-rich landfill environments require pH-buffering to mitigate MP co-migration. This study provides a theoretical basis for optimizing pretreatment processes (e.g., coordinated washing and magnetic separation) to ensure the safe resource recovery of BA.
More Papers Like This
Can incineration completely eliminate plastic wastes? An investigation of microplastics and heavy metals in the bottom ash and fly ash from an incineration plant
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined fly ash, bottom ash, and surface soil from a municipal solid waste incinerator for microplastics and heavy metals, finding that incineration did not completely eliminate plastics — with fibers persisting in fly ash — and that fly ash heavy metal concentrations exceeded safety thresholds in several categories.
Quantity and morphology of microplastics in the Tehran and Nowshahr MSW incinerators ashes
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers sampled ash from two municipal solid waste incinerators in Iran over one year, finding microplastics present even after incineration. This indicates that current incineration practices do not fully eliminate microplastics and that incinerator ash may be a source of plastic pollution if applied to land or landfilled.
Characteristics of microplastics in municipal solid waste incineration ash in South Korea.
AI summary Read the abstract
Even burning your trash doesn't fully get rid of plastic. Scientists studying 18 waste incineration plants in South Korea found that microplastics don't just disappear when plastic waste is burned—they survive in the leftover ash, with the amount varying based on which burning method was used. Since this ash often ends up in landfills or building materials, this research helps identify which incineration methods best minimize microplastic pollution getting back into our environment.
New Insights into Microplastic Contamination in Different Types of Leachates: Abundances, Characteristics, and Potential Sources
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined microplastic contamination in leachates from different types of municipal solid waste disposal facilities, moving beyond the typical focus on landfill leachate alone. The study found varying abundances and characteristics of microplastics across leachate types, identifying waste processing as a significant source of microplastic release into the environment.
Speciation and release risk of heavy metals bonded on simulated naturally-aged microplastics prepared from artificially broken macroplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated heavy metal speciation and release risk from naturally aged microplastics in simulated saltwater and gastrointestinal solutions, finding that different metals varied in adsorption capacity and release behavior, posing potential risks to both ecosystems and human health.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.