A study on heavy metal migration in fly ash/bentonite using a reactive transport model

The retardation of heavy metals in a mixture of fly ash and bentonite was studied as a potential barrier material for a landfill. Column tests were conducted using synthetic leachate having 100 mg/L and 50 mg/L of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), respectively. Results indicated that the mixture had obvious retardation ability for heavy metals. To investigate the retardation factor caused by adsorption, batch adsorption tests were conducted at various concentrations. Test results were correlated with both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The adsorption of the lead ion was applicable to the Langmuir isotherm and the adsorption of the cadmium ion was applicable to the Freundlich isotherm. In addition, based on experimental results, the migration characteristics of heavy metals through the bed of fly ash and bentonite mixture were investigated using the PHREEQC, a reactive transport model, under the real conditions of the landfill liner.