Investigation of the possibilities of using bottom ash in soil improvement

The aim of this study is of the clayey soils of the bottom ash, which is the thermal power plant waste, and to make it suitable for growing Italian grass plants. In addition, it is aimed to recycle this waste material to the nature and to make it usable as sink areas in combating climate change. In the study, clay textured soil and bottom ash were mixed in 3 different doses (50% clay soil-50% bottom ash, 75% clay soil-25% bottom ash and 90% clay soil-10% bottom ash) in laboratory conditions in 3 replicated pot trials. In addition to these, 100% clay soil, 100% bottom ash and 100% peat moss trials were made. Bottom ash used in the trial; It is the material falling on the bottom of the boiler as a result of the burning of coal in Isken Sugözü Thermal Power Plant located in Yumurtalık District of Adana Province. In the experiment, it was determined that the Italian grass grown in the groups created statistically significant (p <0.05) differences in terms of pH and electrical conductivity together with other plant parameters except spike length. The salinity rates of 50%, 25% and 10% bottom ash added to the growing medium are normal. It has been observed that the transition of Ca and Mg elements from the macro nutrients to the plant is higher in the growing medium with the addition of bottom ash, while the N element is "sufficient" and "excess". As a result, based on the statistical analysis results and previous studies, the controlled application of bottom ash to clay soil, except for 100% ash application, showed a beneficial development for the soil, and a positive result was obtained in the re-use of out of use areas with a material that could cause environmental pollution.