Version 1
: Received: 10 June 2024 / Approved: 11 June 2024 / Online: 12 June 2024 (12:21:34 CEST)
How to cite:
Banda, M.; Matabane, L.; Munyengabe, A. A Phytoremediation Approach for the Restoration of Coal Fly Ash Polluted Sites: A Review. Preprints2024, 2024060768. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202406.0768.v1
Banda, M.; Matabane, L.; Munyengabe, A. A Phytoremediation Approach for the Restoration of Coal Fly Ash Polluted Sites: A Review. Preprints 2024, 2024060768. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202406.0768.v1
Banda, M.; Matabane, L.; Munyengabe, A. A Phytoremediation Approach for the Restoration of Coal Fly Ash Polluted Sites: A Review. Preprints2024, 2024060768. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202406.0768.v1
APA Style
Banda, M., Matabane, L., & Munyengabe, A. (2024). A Phytoremediation Approach for the Restoration of Coal Fly Ash Polluted Sites: A Review. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202406.0768.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Banda, M., Lovia Matabane and Alexis Munyengabe. 2024 "A Phytoremediation Approach for the Restoration of Coal Fly Ash Polluted Sites: A Review" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202406.0768.v1
Abstract
Generating electricity from coal combustion is highly associated with ongoing pollution problems that negatively impact the environment. Coal fly ash (CFA) is a predominant waste by-product of coal combustion which is disposed of in exposed ash dams constructed in the vicinity of power stations. Its disposal requires a large piece of land and therefore more land is converted to unproductive disposal sites, degrading the ecosystem. This waste material is classified as a hazardous substance in South Africa due to unacceptable levels of inorganic and persistent organic pollutants and its potential for dust creation. CFA is recycled and sold to the building and construction sectors, but the rate of its utilization is far less than the production rate resulting to high volumes that is stockpiled in disposal sites. More than 500 million tons CFA is produced yearly and over 200 million tons yearly remain unused globally and more CFA will continue to be produced due to high consumer energy demands, especially in countries with heavy reliance on coal for power generation. In this context, the paper discusses production of CFA, pollution problems due to its disposal, examines existing gaps within the scope of ash dam restoration processes and presents opportunities offered by phytoremediation (a low-cost and environmentally friendly technology that utilizes plants to restore the degraded environments). Ecological restoration through the use of socio-economically valuable plants (aromatic plants, legumes and grasses) has potential in addressing societal challenges and consequently impacting positively the livelihood of communities.
Environmental and Earth Sciences, Sustainable Science and Technology
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
