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Title: COAL COMBUSTION PRODUCTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Author
item SAJWAN, K - SAVANNAH STATE UNIV
item TWARDWOSKA, I - INST ENV ENG, POLAND
item PUNSHON, T - UNIV OF GEORGIA
item Alva, Ashok

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2005
Publication Date: 6/1/2006
Citation: Sajwan, K.S., Twardwoska, I., Punshon, T., Alva, A.K. 2006. Coal combustion products and environmental issues. Book Chapter. Springer Science and Business, Inc., New York, NY. p 241.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The massive accumulation of coal fly ash generated by electric power plants during fossil fuel combustion has become a major environmental health concern in the United States. Even though stringent environmental regulations have been mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency through the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, coal combustion products continue to pose serious environmental concerns due to our major reliance upon fossil fuels to meet ever increasing demands for energy production within the United States. The concentrations of trace elements in coal residues are extremely variable and depend upon the composition of the original coal, conditions experienced during combustion, the efficiency of emission control devices, storage and handling procedures, and overall climatic conditions. The research papers carefully selected for publication within this book were originally presented as a part of the Seventh International Conference on the Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements held at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden, from June 15-19, 2003. This conference offered the unique opportunity for international scientists and scholars to share the most current knowledge concerning the source, pathways, behavior, interactions, and effects of trace elements in soils, water, plants, and animals. Notably, this book also contains the invited research papers from leading scientists who have conducted significant research within the area of coal and coal combusion products. The editors have arranged the articles sytematically by topic, beginning with introductory chapter entitled "Production of Coal Combustion Products and Their Potential Uses" followed by the sections on Environmental Impact of Coal Combustion Residues, Trace Elements in Fly Ashes, Transport and Leachability of Metals from Coal and Ash Piles, and the Use of Coal Ash as an Agricultural Soil Amendment. This book addresses the major implications and critical issues surrounding coal combustion products and their impact upon the environment. It provides invaluable information particularly to scientists specializing and conducting research in coal and coal combustion products. Even so, it will certainly appeal beyond this initial target audience to serve a wide variety of scientists, scholars, academicians, and professionals within the fields of public health, engineering, energy industry, and a wide realm of environmental science related discipllines. It is our sincere endeavor that this volume of work will serve as a valuable resource tool for those engaged in fossil fuel energy research to benefit both our economy and environment to assure quality of life for future generations.