Application of Coal Fly Ash in Agriculture: A Strategic Perspective

Abstract

Fly ash is a major waste of coal-power generation and its management is a major environmental and economic challenge, and it will become even more critical with a projected increase in the reliance on coal for power generation. The authors discuss how the unique physicochemical properties of ash can be strategically employed to ameliorate acidity and sodicity, and physical and fertility constraints, in agricultural soils. They show that with careful selection of ash type and methods and rates of application, mutually compatible with the soil and crop type, the often reported phytotoxicity due to high concentrations of certain trace metals can be avoided while maintaining the quality of produce and minimizing risk to the environment. Specific examples are presented to demonstrate where it is economical to use fly ash as a low-cost alternative to certain fertilizers and liming materials on farms. The authors also propose criteria for the selection of ash and for regulatory parameters that would ensure the safe and routine utilization of ash in plant production systems.

Assessment of biotransfer and bioaccumulation of cadmium, lead and zinc from fly ash amended soil in mustard–aphid–beetle food chain

“…The long-time persistence of these toxic metals within soil and their accumulation in plant tissues at sub-phytotoxic levels may pose a grave risk to higher strata in food chains (Zhuang et al, 2009;Gall et al, 2015). In contrast to heavy metal concentration based guidelines for the use of sewage sludge in agriculture, guidelines for the agricultural use of fly ash are limited, only found in New South Wales and Australia (Yunusa et al, 2012) and no such recommended standards are available in India.…”

Opportunities and challenges in the use of coal fly ash for soil improvements – A review

“…Several extensive reviews on recycling of CFA have been conducted in recent years (e. g., Jala and Goyal, 2006;Basu et al, 2009;Malik and Thapliyal, 2009;Blissett and Rowson, 2012;Yunusa et al, 2012;Skousen et al, 2013;Ram and Masto, 2014). However, they have focused on the multi-component utilization of CFA with a limited coverage of the environmental challenges.…”

“…Blissett and Rowson (2012) focused on the multi-component utilization of CFA (agriculture, glass and ceramics manufacturing, zeolites and mesoporous materials productions, geopolymers synthesis, and use as catalysts and catalyst supports). Yunusa et al (2012) considered how CFA can be strategically used to ameliorate specific soil constraints to crop production but focussing only on soil salinity, alkalinity and mainly from economic and regulatory considerations. However, none of these previous reviews critically analyzed all of the major relevant environmental issues, which include practices and problems considerations in devising sustainable use of CFA as a soil amendment.…”

Using Coal Fly Ash Agriculture: Combination of Fly Ash and Poultry Litter as Soil Amendments for Bioenergy Feedstock Production

“…One solution that has been gaining recent attention for FA utilization is in agricultural production (Yunusa et al, 2012). FA possesses desirable properties such as moisture retention (Lee et al, 2006;Yao et al, 2015) and can contain appreciable levels of major, secondary, and trace elements that can enhance plant growth (Arivazhagan et al, 2011;Parab et al, 2012;Tsadilas, 2014).…”