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Abstract: One of the common European commitments is a transition towards a green circular economy in which waste is not discarded and considered to be just an environmental problem, but should be recognized as an important potential source of raw materials for industry. In a priority order in waste management activities, introduced by the Waste Directive in 2012, recycling is set just behind the waste prevention and reuse. Many types of waste can be recycled, the most perspective being construction, industrial and mining wastes. The latter are produced and disposed of at mine sites during the excavation and processing of ore and are extremely perspective due to large quantities and remaining of different metals, however still underutilized, with low recycling rate. Many mining wastes are inert and do not releases contaminants into environment, however, some of them are problematic and even require monitoring. Reprocessing of these wastes, which include beneficiation and sequential extraction of valuable metals in the first phase and recycling of residues in both structural and civil engineering in the second phase establishes a zero waste model with several benefits for economy, environment and society. Out of the South-East European countries, North Macedonia has great potential to establish this model. As a consequence of long mining tradition and abundant ore resources, there are many mining and metallurgical tailings, on the other hand vivid economy and numerous sinks for use of recycled materials in construction sector can accommodate these quantities. However, there are open questions in terms of administrative procedures and legislation. What are those obstacles that accompany the smooth establishment of the proposed model from a legislative point of view? This paper deals with the situation in North Macedonia, in terms of opportunities, legislative options and the need to adopt new legislation, taking also into account the current problems in this field in Europe.
Keywords: circular economy, zero-waste approach, mining waste, construction sector, legislation, krožno gospodarstvo, pristop ničelnega odpadka, rudarski odpadki, gradbeništvo, zakonodaja
Published in DiRROS: 04.12.2023; Views: 224; Downloads: 131
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Abstract: Z uporabo recikliranih odpadkov v gradbeništvu nadomeščamo naravne materiale in s tem vzpostavljamo krožno gospodarstvo na lokalnem nivoju. Pomemben vidik je tudi ohranjanje naravnih virov. To je še posebno pereče pri zemeljskih delih (npr. zasipih in nasipih), kjer prihaja do velike porabe materialov. Geotehnični kompoziti iz recikliranih materialov, v primerjavi z naravnimi agregati ali zemljinami, lahko vsebujejo višje celotne koncentracije potencialno nevarnih snovi (težke kovine, klorid, sulfat, fluorid, organska onesnaževala itd.). Pogoj za uporabo takšnih kompozitov je, da so v njih potencialno nevarne snovi imobilizirane in da so zato iz kemijskega vidika trajno inertni. Možni vplivi na okolje, predvsem prenos različnih potencialno nevarnih snovi iz kompozitov v tla oziroma vodonosnik, so običajno ovrednoteni na laboratorijski ravni, medtem ko je njihovo obnašanje v dejanskem okolju slabo proučeno. Zato se pojavljajo zahteve po razvoju občutljivih, zanesljivih in cenovno ter časovno učinkovitih orodij za določitev masnih tokov potencialno nevarnih snovi iz gradbenih proizvodov, na primer geotehničnih kompozitov, pod vplivi različnih okoljskih dejavnikov. V članku predstavljamo postopek vzpostavitve terenskega laboratorija na osnovi sistema "pan" lizimetrov, za zbiranje izcednih voda iz zasipov, ki so bili izdelani iz geotehničnih kompozitov iz recikliranih materialov. Lizimetre smo konstruirali in izvedli tako, da je njihova izgradnja cenovno ugodna, hkrati pa so po svojih dimenzijah dovolj veliki, da reprezentativno odražajo procese v zgrajenih geotehničnih zasipih. Pridobljeni podatki o količini in parametrih izcedne vode bodo služili kot osnova za določanje vodne bilance in za študij imobilizacije potencialno nevarnih snovi v kompozitih. Hkrati bodo uporabljeni kot vhodni podatki za geokemijski numerični model, s katerim bomo simulirali transport potencialno nevarnih snovi, sproščenih iz preučevanih kompozitov, v različnih tipih vodonosnikov (npr. medzrnski in razpoklinski).
Keywords: lizimeter, izlužek, okoljski monitoring, geotehnični zasip, odpadki
Published in DiRROS: 12.09.2023; Views: 296; Downloads: 139
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Abstract: During carbon steel manufacturing, large amounts of electric arc furnace (EAF) slag are generated. EAF slag, if properly treated and processed into aggregate, is an alternative source of high-quality material, which can substitute the use of natural aggregates in most demanding applications in the construction sector, mostly for wearing asphalt courses. In this screening process of high-quality aggregates, a side material with grainsize 0/32 mm is also produced, which can be used as an aggregate for unbound layers in road construction. In this study, the environmental impacts of slag aggregate (fraction 0/32 mm) were evaluated in mixed natural/slag aggregates. Different mixtures of natural/slag aggregates were prepared from aged (28 days) and fresh slag, and their environmental impacts were evaluated using leaching tests. It was shown that among the elements, chromium (Cr) was leached from some mixed aggregates in quantities that exceeded the criterion for inert waste. The data from the present investigation revealed that mixed aggregates, prepared from aged slag (fraction 0/32 mm) and natural stone in the ratio 10/90, are environmentally acceptable and can be safely used in unbound materials for road construction.
Published in DiRROS: 30.08.2023; Views: 267; Downloads: 130
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Abstract: Paper-ash is used for remediation of heavily contaminated soils with metals, but remediation efficiency after longer periods has not been reported. To gain insights into the mechanisms of immobilization of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and znic (Zn), a study was performed in the laboratory experiment in uncontaminated, artificially contaminated, and remediated soils, and these soils treated with sulfate, to mimic conditions in contaminated soil from zinc smelter site. Remediation was performed by mixing contaminated soil with paper-ash to immobilize Cd, Pb, and Zn in the geotechnical composite. Partitioning of Cd, Pb, and Zn was studied over one year in seven-time intervals applying the sequential extraction procedure and complementary X-ray diffraction analyses. This methodological approach enabled us to follow the redistribution of Cd, Pb, and Zn over time, thus, to studying immobilization mechanisms and assessing the remediation efficiency and stability of newly formed mineral phases. Cd, Pb, and Zn were effectively immobilized by precipitation of insoluble hydroxides after the addition of paper-ash and by the carbonization process in insoluble carbonate minerals. After remediation, Cd, Pb, and Zn concentrations in the water-soluble fraction were well below the limiting values for inertness: Cd by 100 times, Pb by 125 times, and Zn by 10 times. Sulfate treatment did not influence the remediation efficiency. Experimental data confirmed the high remediation efficiency and stability of insoluble Cd, Pb, and Zn mineral phases in geotechnical composites.
Keywords: cadmium, lead, zinc, contaminated soil, paper ash, immobilization mechanisms
Published in DiRROS: 04.07.2023; Views: 357; Downloads: 233
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Abstract: The environmental properties of three geotechnical composites made by recycling wastes were investigated on a laboratory scale and in the field with the use of lysimeters designated for the revitalization of degraded mining sites. Composites were prepared by combining the mine waste with paper-mill sludge and foundry sand (Composite 1), with digestate from municipal waste and paper ash (Composite 2), and with coal ash, foundry slag and waste incineration bottom ash (Composite 3). The results of laboratory leaching tests proved that Composites 1 and 3 are envi- ronmentally acceptable, according to the legislative limits, as the potentially hazardous substances were immobilized, while in Composite 2, the legislative limits were exceeded. In the field lysimeters, the lowest rate of leaching was determined for optimally compacted Composites 1 and 3, while for Composite 2 the leaching of Cu was high. This study proved that optimally installed Composites 1 and 3 are environmentally acceptable for use in construction as an alternative to virgin materials, for the revitalization of degraded mining sites or, along with Composite 2, for closure operations with landfills. In this way, locally available waste streams are valorised and channelized into a beneficial and sustainable recycling practice.
Keywords: waste, recycling, lysimeter, potentiali hazardous substances, immobilization, revitalisation, environmental, open access
Published in DiRROS: 29.05.2023; Views: 348; Downloads: 254
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