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- Life Cycle description
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- Endpoint summary
- Appearance / physical state / colour
- Melting point / freezing point
- Boiling point
- Density
- Particle size distribution (Granulometry)
- Vapour pressure
- Partition coefficient
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Adsorption / desorption
Administrative data
Link to relevant study record(s)
Description of key information
High Kd values for trace elements indicate that the distribution of trace elements between slags (solid phase) and their leachates (liquid pahse) is almost exclusively on the side of the solid phase, and very low mobility of trace elements is predicted.
Key value for chemical safety assessment
Additional information
Kd values of trace elements in soils
A literature review was done on soil−liquid partitioning coefficients (Kd) of several trace elements of toxicological relevance. Although the reported values scattered, mobility and bioavailability of the elements could be predicted. The kd values especially for the metals cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc exhibited a relationships to variations in the pH of the soil solution, the content of metals and organic matter of the soil (SOM). Multiple linear regressions showed highest correlations to linear regression with pH or with pH and log of one of the other parameters. Solubility of trace metals was interpreted as competitive adsorption of metal cations and hydrogen ions.
Arithmetic Means of Kd values (L/kg) of elements in soil/water
As 13119
B 160
Ba 3434
Cd 2869
Cr 14920
Cu 4799
Hg 8946
Mo 36
Ni 16761
Pb 171214
Se 43937
Sr 137
Zn 11615 (Sauvé et al. 2000)
Kd values of trace elements of slags
Soil-to-water partition coefficients Kd of individual trace elements occuring in slag were calculated from their concentration in the solid slag, divided by their concentrations in leachate. In total, slag from 58 steel works with blast furnaces, basic oxygen furnaces (converters) and/or electric arc furnaces, were examined for leachability at acidic and neutral pH values.
The calculated Kd values are higher than 1000 L/kg with few exceptions due to calculation procedure using half the limit of detection as an estimate for concentration in leachates. These calculated results comprise arsenic and tin in blast furnace slag (Kd= 300 and 500 L/kg, for arsenic and tin, respectively) and mercury in the EAF slag (Kd= 900 L/kg). With very low levels both in the slag and in the leachate, the following Kd were calculated: 700 L/kg for molybdenum in BOS, 535 L/kg for chromium-VI in EAF, and 819 L/kg for arsenic in EAF.
The Kd values of different slags were similar. Their differences between the slags did not exceed one order of magnitude.
The high Kd values suggest that the trace elements are very tightly bound into the matrix. Leaching of trace elements is extremely low and transport in soil will be very slow (Proctor et al. 2000).
These results were confirmed by data on total trace element levels in slags and the corresponding leaching data taken from a report of the German Oekoinstitut. The Kd values (L/Kg) calculated for ABS are
As 2500
Pb 3500
Cd 1667
Cr(total) 10000
Cu 4000
Ni 7143
Hg 3500
Zn 7500
cyanide(total) 250
The Kd values (L/kg) for GBS are
As 3214
Pb 5250
Cd 2000
Cr(total) 14400
Cu 6000
Ni 10000
Hg 4200
cyanide(total) 300
There are no relevant differences in the adsorption/desorption properties of the 2 subtypes of blast furnace slag in regard to the Kd of the trace elements tested (data taken from Oekoinstitut 2007).
To determine the kd values of trace elements of toxicological relevance in the slags ABS, BOS, and EAF C, existing concentration data of the BfG of trace elements in solid slag and natural rocks were compared with their respective concentrations in leachates of slags and natural rocks.
The kd values of Hg and Tl could not be determined, because no data had been measured in leachates. The Kd values of As and Cd are low (e.g. >20 L/Kg) because these elements (and Hg and Tl) are not present in slags and basalt at relevant levels. The same is most likely correct for Pb. For Ni (< 700, >4000 L/kg), Cu (> 9400, > 6000 L/kg), Zn (> 40000, >6600 L/kg) and Cr (> 800000, > 10000 L/kg) high Kd values have been obtained, suggesting a very tight binding of these elements into slag and basalt, respectively (data taken from BfG 2008).
The environmental behaviour of slags was evaluated from the total content and solubility of analytes in the slags. A simple re-evaluation of the existing data was done to determine the retention potential of slags for trace metals and other analytes. All Kd values obtained were very high suggesting that the analytes examined are effectively retained by slags. The solid/liquid adsorption coefficients Kd of both ABS and GBS were high (L/kg): ABS: Ca 1312, Mg 97500, Fe 66110, Mn 329220, SiO2 1684; GBS: Ca 10978, Mg 19500, Mn 109750, SiO2 7424 (data taken from LECES 1991).
Kd values of ABS and GBS in comparison with natural rocks
To elucidate the risk of the use of slags in the environment in comparison to natural rock, the 2 types of leaching experiments were performed: Ordinary availability tests consisting of two leachings at neutral and acidic pH (NT ENVIR 003) and oxidised availability tests at fully oxidising conditions by addition of hydrogen peroxide (NT ENVIR 006, 1999). 9 different types of natural rock material were used for comparison.
The leaching behaviour of natural rocks and blast furnace slags was very similar. Most of the metals exmined were less soluble from slags than from natural rock. As both total content of the trace elements of toxicological relevance, as well as their solubility under extreme environmental conditions, were supplied, Kd values can be derived (in the report inverse Kd values are given as the percentage of the total released into leachate). In general, these Kd were lower than typical Kd values of these elements in slags. The environmental relevance of the findings was clarified by comparison with natural rocks. The slags released less trace metals than the natural rocks, suggesting that their use in the environment poses no hazard (Tossavainen 2002).
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