THE GEOCHEMICAL BEHAVIOR OF OXYANIONS RELEASED FROM COAL COMBUSTION RESIDUES AND PROCESSES

Everyday, billions of gallons of water from cooling, flue gas desulfurization, and coal combustion residue (CCR) transport processes are released from coal-fired power plants into adjacent water bodies. In this study, we evaluated the quality of such effluents discharged at ten sites and the impact on associated
 waterways in North Carolina, relative to a reference lake. We
 measured the concentrations of major and trace elements from CCR effluents, surface water from lakes and 
rivers at different downstream and upstream points, and pore
water extracted from lake sediments. The data show that CCR 
effluents contain high levels of contaminants, such as arsenic, selenium, and boron that in several cases 
exceed the U.S. EPA guidelines for drinking water and ecological 
effects. This investigation disclosed that oxyanions behaved both conservatively and non-conservatively when released to the body of water, depending on their redox characteristics and the water conditions. This study revealed the quality of receiving
 waters depends on the ratio between 
effluent flux and freshwater resource volumes and recycling of
 trace elements through adsorption on suspended particles and release to deep surface water or pore water in bottom sediments during periods of thermal water stratification and anoxic conditions. The impact of CCRs is long-term, which influences contaminant accumulation and the health of aquatic life in water associated with coal-fired power plants.