Enhancing Carbon Sequestration and Reclamation of Degraded lands and sequester C in soils (Amonette NETL, PNNL Scope #40265)
EMSL Project ID
4298
Abstract
Develop management guidelines for site selection and treatment protocols for use of coal ash and organic amendments to restore degraded lands and sequester C in soils. Will evaluate properties of existing field studies that are effective in land reclamation.Work authorization text added 08/11/05:
This project examines the terrestrial C-sequestration potential of lands that have been disturbed by mining, highway construction, or poor management practices. The primary focus is on identifying the possible sequestration-enhancing effects of amendments with solid byproducts from fossil-fuel combustion and biological waste-treatment facilities. In the past year we have identified alkaline fly ash amendments as having a significant ability to enhance humification, the main process responsible for organic C sequestration in soils. Properties of fly ash contributing to this effect are believed to include alkalinity, porosity, and the presence of unburned C, which acts as a hydrophobic sorbent for organic compounds. In FY05 we propose to expand our study of the role of unburned C, as this potential new application may allow productive use to be made of alkaline fly ash from low-NOx burners that currently is relegated to landfills. We will examine fly ashes of varying alkalinities and C content derived from both eastern and western U.S. coals. Work will involve characterization of the fly ashes with respect to alkalinity, micro- and meso-porosity, and unburned C content, and testing of the fly ashes alone and in combination with other coal combustion byproducts such as oxidized flue-gas-desulfurization products, to determine their efficacy in promoting humification. Tests involving soils with and without carbonate minerals will be performed to confirm the minimization of carbonate dissolution by the presence of unburned C. This work will complement studies of the same ashes at ORNL with respect to their potential for nitrous oxide emissions. This is a joint project with investigators from ORNL (A. V. Palumbo, PI) and PNNL (J. E. Amonette, PI). Contact Jim Amonette, project manager, for additional information. Assumptions - The DOE client (Fossil Energy) expects us to conduct fundamental research to further our knowledge in areas of importance to DOE's mission, and to disseminate this knowledge through publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations of results at scientific meetings. Products/Deliverables: - Publications in scientific journals - Presentations at scientific meetings and symposia.
Project Details
Project type
Exploratory Research
Start Date
2003-08-08
End Date
2007-06-03
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members
Related Publications
Palumbo AV, JF Mccarthy, JE Amonette, SD Wullschleger, WL Daniels, and LS Fisher. 2004. "Prospects for Enhancing Carbon Sequestration and Reclamation of Degraded Lands with Fossil-fuel Combustion By-products.." Advances in Environmental Research 8(3-4):425-438.