Water quality assessment with aquatic non-structural blocks made of coal ash aggregates mortars

Abstract

A handful of biochemical processes occur in aquatic environments. One of the problems that are mostly encountered in such environments is caused by excess nutrient input and subsequent algal bloom. A series of studies were conducted to assess feasibility of aquatic structures to enhance water quality. In line with resource recovery efforts, the aquatic structures were made of coal combustion byproducts (CCBs) mixed with cement. Optimum portions of cement and CCBs were determined and tested in a lab-scale simulated aquatic environment for their potential role in enhancing water quality. Parameters of water quality were measured including pH, turbidity, conductivity, biological oxygen demand, suspended solids, alkalinity, nitrate, phosphate, ammonia and algal growth throughout a series of experiments. Experiments for nitrate, phosphate and nitrification effects were studied separately. Each experiment showed that the coal ash concrete structures enhanced the water quality by improving the aquatic environment for at least one of the parameter measured.

Diversos procesos bioquímicos están propensos a ocurrir en ambientes acuáticos. Un problema que se enfrenta en estos ambientes es el exceso de nutrientes y el crecimiento de algas. Se realizaron experimentos para evaluar cuan factible era el uso de estructuras hechas con productos secundarios de carbón para mejorar la calidad de agua. Con la intención de maximizar su recuperación, las estructuras fueron hechas de subproductos de la quema de carbón mezclados con cemento. Se determinó una mezcla óptima y se hizo una serie de experimentos a escala para determinar su beneficio. Varios parámetros fueron monitoreados con esta intención incluyendo pH, turbidez, conductividad, demanda de oxígeno biológico, solidos suspendidos, alcalinidad, nitratos, fosfatos, amonio y el crecimiento de algas en los experimentos. Experimentos para nitratos, fosfatos y amonio fueron realizados para entender mejor el efecto de las estructuras. Cada experimento demostró que las estructuras mejoraron la calidad del agua en al menos uno de los parámetros monitoreados.