Environmental Assessment of Trace Elements from Coal Combustion in the Semi-Arid West. Progress Summary Report for FY 1976-1979

摘要

The results of research during FY 1976, FY 1976A, FY 1977, and FY 1979 under terms of the Interagency Energy/Environment Agreement are summarized. Trace element studies have been centered around the coal-fired Four Corners Power Plant located on the Navajo Reservation in northwestern New Mexico, which forms an integral part of the energy-rich Colorado Plateau region. The overall objective of this research has been to assess environmental consequences of trace elements identified as potentially hazardous to arid western ecosystems. To this end the two major corollary goals are to: (1) identify potentially hazardous trace elements in stack emissions and assess their importance with respect to deposition onto surrounding terrain, and (2) to determine which elements are mobilized in the scrubber system and ash disposal ponds at the Four Corners Power Plant. Results of dry deposition calculations, trace element measurements in air particulate, soils, and vegetation are reported pursuant to the first goal. Trace elements extracted from fly ash, trace element measurements in influent and effluent waters of the power plant, and trace element concentrations in a specie of vegetation growing in these effluent water channels are reported pursuant to the second goal. (ERA citation 06:013842)