Determination of leach characterization and environmental effects of fly ashes

In this thesis study, internal characteristics of thermal power plant?s flying ashes in our country were studied and possible environmental effects of these ashes around the vicinity of power plants have been investigated.Various samples from near and far points have been collected in the region of Afşin Elbistan-A thermal power plant, which was chosen as the pilot region and center point of sampling. Soil samples in 4 directions from 12 different points and underground water samples from 6 different points in different depths were taken around the power plant?s. 8 different heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Co ve Mn) were analyzed in these samples. The results of the collected soil samples showed that the values of chromium and nickel were beyond the Pollution of Soil Control Regulations limits. On the other hand, no excess values were identified in the water samples.Except the Afşin Elbistan-A thermal power plant, internal characteristics of flying ashes which were taken from Su gözü, Yatağan, Soma, Seyitömer, Tunçbilek, Çatalağzı and Çan thermal power plants were identified. In the flying ash samples, the liquid solid ratio was 10 l/kg and leach process was conducted during the 5 successive days, then leach solutions were analyzed in Atomic Absorbtion Spectrometry in terms of heavy metals. According to the result of the analyses, all the ash samples were identified to be within the non-hazardous waste class by Hazardous Waste Control Regulations. However, the results of analysis also indicate that with the diffusion of all of the observed 8 heavy metals into solution, there would be a high possibility of accumulated pollution in the soil and underground water that are near the ash storage areas.