SREL Reprint #2944

Influence Of Coal Combustion Flue Gas Desulfurization Waste On Element Uptake By Maize (Zea mays L.)

Anna S. Knox1, John D. Knox2, Domy C. Adriano3, and Kenneth S. Sajwan4

1Savannah River National Laboratory, Westinghouse Savannah River Company, 773-42A, Savannah River Site, Aiken, SC 29808, USA
2Columbia County Board of Education, Appling, GA 30802, USA
3The University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
4Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Savannah State University, Savannah, GA 31404, USA

Abstract: A greenhouse study was conducted to determine the effect of coal combustion flue gas desulfurization (FGD) waste from a coal combustion electric power facility, located in Cope, SC on elemental uptake by maize (Zea mays L.). Unweathered FGD was applied to an Orangeburg series soil (Typic Paleudult) with an initial soil pHsalt of 4.90. The FGD was added at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10% by weight. The test plant, maize, was harvested after 6 weeks of growth. Within 56 days of the FGD application, all rates of FGD significantly increased pH in the soil and the soil leachate above 6.0. The elemental concentration of the maize tissues indicated a characteristic elevation of B, Se, Mo, and As. However, no visual symptoms of toxicity of B or other elements in plants were observed. Increasing level of FGD caused a steady decline in biomass dry weight, with the highest treatment producing plants, which had approximately half the biomass of the control plants. Due to elevated concentrations of B and other elements (Se, Mo, and As) and due to adverse yield effects measured on plants, we do not recommend using FGD materials as a soil amendment for the purpose of growing agronomic and horticultural crops until sufficient time is allowed to substantially leach soluble salts including B and Se. This will necessitate monitoring the electrical conductivity and B and Se contents of the FGD waste to acceptable levels.

SREL Reprint #2944

Knox, A. S., J. D. Knox, D. C. Adriano, and K. S. Sajwan. 2006. Influence Of Coal Combustion Flue Gas Desulfurization Waste On Element Uptake By Maize (Zea mays L.). pp. 184-189 In K.S. Sajwan, I. Twardowska, T. Punshon, and A.K. Alva (Eds.), Coal Combusion Byproducts and Environmental Issues . Springer, New York.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).