Problems due to Fly ash

Q.  Fly-Ash is being used to fill mines. Critics oppose it because

1) No support for tree species in such places
2) Contamination of ground water
3) Toxic fumes cause respiratory diseases
- Published on 26 Aug 16

a. 2, 3
b. 1, 3
c. 1, 2
d. All of the above

ANSWER: 1, 2
 
Fly ash is one of the coal combustion products and is composed of fine particles that are driven out of the boiler with flue gases. Ash that falls at the bottom of the boiler is called bottom ash. Recently an expert panel of MoEF has expressed concerns over use of fly ash for filling mines as this can have environmental consequences in the form of:
  • Contamination of ground water due to leaching of heavy metals in fly ash
  • Reduction in recharging of ground water due to fly ash filled mine voids
  • Ash-filled voids cannot support tree species because of poor root system development which in turn results in uprooting of trees even by low velocity winds.
    Since its findings are not conclusive, it has called for a 10-year exhaustive study over this issue.

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