Presence of toxic elements in fly ash and bottom ash / Nur Izyan Izzati Amiruddin

Coal is the most plentiful and broadly spread fossil energy resource in the globe. It is mainly used for generation of power and also for manufacturing purposes. The amount of coal utilization by the power plant will generate several wastes that might be harmful to the atmosphere and may cause negative impact to the human, animal and environment. The objective of this research project is to determine the toxic elements in fly ash and bottom. The potential toxic elements that should be taken into consideration in fly ash and bottom ash, for instance, Al, As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Fe, Mg, Zn and V for a safer envirornment. The most suitable experimental procedure in handling the coal ash sample was sample digestion and preparation of standard solutions. The coal ash sample was digested using nitric acid and hydrochloric acid. The sample prepared was then analyzed directly using Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP-OES). The most concerned toxic elements that should be focused on are Fe, Mn, As, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu and Ba. According to Environmental Quality Regulations 2009, these elements have exceeded the permissible limit of discharge of leachate standard. Meanwhile, based on Ministry of Health of Malaysia, trace elements of Mn, Zn, Cd, As, Fe and Pb has also exceeded the permissible limit of drinking water quality standard. Hence, in order to avoid negative impact to human, animal and environment, the toxic element should leach below the permissible limit accordingly.