Trace element release from combustion ash co-disposed with municipal solid waste.

Ash products from coal and municipal solid waste combustion constitute a waste stream with characteristics that, unless recycled, require specific disposal practices. Although traditional disposal involves ash placement in a cell dedicated solely for the ash (monofill), new regulations for the management of coal combustion residues in the US might lead to more co-disposal of these residues with unburned municipal solid waste (MSW) that has not been combusted or otherwise processed. Both monofill and co-disposal practices are currently utilized for MSW incineration ash in the US.

Trace element mobility from coal combustion residuals exposed to landfill leachate.

Coal combustion residuals (CCR) from energy generation may pose a risk to human health and the environment if not managed properly. Because of new regulations for the management of CCR, generators must dispose of these materials in lined landfill units similar to municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. Generators could opt to construct dedicated units for CCR (monofilling) or by placing them in MSW landfills (co-disposal).