Abstract

Thermodynamic equilibrium model was used to simulate the results of leaching heavy metal from cementitious wastes. Modeling results of the leached major element concentrations for samples agreed well with the leaching test using the set of pure minerals and solid solutions present in the database. The model revealed Pb and Cd were predominantly incorporated within the calcium silicate hydrate matrix while a greater portion of Cd exist as discrete particles in the cement pores. Precipitation was found to be the dominant mechanism controlling heavy metal solubility with carbonate and silicate species governing the solubility of Pb and carbonate, silicate and hydroxide species governing the solubility of Cd. In the presence of acetic acid, at low pH values Pb and Cd acetate complexes were predominant whereas, at high pH values, hydroxide species dominated. In the presence of municipal landfill leachate, Pb and Cd organic complexes dominated the heavy metal species in solution.

Keywords:

Computer modeling, heavy metal, leaching, Saturation Index (SI),

References

Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests.

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