Leachability of lead from lead tailings

摘要

Laboratory column studies were used to predict the effect on the leachability of lead when using fly ash or a fly ash/sludge mixture as a cover for a lead tailings site. A high pH fly ash cover produced a leachate with a pH 12. This was sufficiently high to allow for the formation of lead hydroxide complexes which are slightly soluble. Therefore, the leachate had an average lead concentration of about 5 mg L-1, while the pH in the leachate from the column with only tailings was 7.8 and a lead concentration below the detection limit (<0.1 mg L-1). The fly ash cover changed the availability of the remaining lead, making it less available. Rainfall rate did not affect the fly ash cover, but did have an effect on the fly ash/sludge cover. References: 13