Characteristics of leaching of heavy metals from low-sulfur coal gangue under different conditions

Abstract

Abstract Coal gangue is the main pollution source of mining areas. When coal gangue is stacked and recycled, the heavy metal elements contained in it are released by natural weathering and leaching, which causes damage to the surrounding ecological environment. In this study, the leaching and precipitation characteristics of heavy metals in low-sulfur coal gangue under different environmental conditions were simulated by indoor dynamic leaching experiments, which provided a theoretical basis for environmental restoration of the mining area. The conclusions are as follows: higher heavy metal content in low-sulfur coal gangue is associated with greater, leaching of heavy metals; acidic conditions promote the release of heavy metals in low-sulfur coal gangue; and more precipitation is associated with better release of heavy metals from the low-sulfur coal gangue.