Stable Lead Isotope Compositions in Coal, Coal Ash and Coal Fly Ash From Serbia

Abstract

The Republic of Serbia predominantly produces electricity in thermal power plants (TPP) Nikola Tesla (A i B), Kolubara and Kostolac. They are supplied from Kolubara basin mines (Nikola Tesla (A i B), Kolubara) which produces three quarters of Serbian lignite (about 70%), with the mean annual production about 30 million tons of coal and from Kostolac basin (TE Kostolac) which produces 30% of lignite in Serbia. Coal combustion residuals include bottom ash, fly ash and slag. Environmental pollution by coal ash and fly ash has been intensively studied taking into account high content of potentially hazardous elements such as As, Pb, Cd and Cr. Tracking lead sources in environmental studies has usually been performed by stable lead isotopes. The pres- ence, pathways and environmental impact of coal ash and fly ash can be identified using Pb isotopic compositions. In this study, isotopic compositions for 12 coal samples from Kolubara and Kostolac major coal mines and 12 fly ash samples from thermal power plants Kolubara (A and B), Kostolac (A and B), Nikola Tesla TENT (A3, A2, and B1) were determined. Samples were digested in mineral acids mixture. Lead conc- entration and stable Pb isotopes were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results obtained might be useful in monitoring of Pb poll- ution from the examined sources, as well as in emission control.