Elution characteristics of undesirable anionic species from fly ash blended cement in different aqueous solutions

There are few reports to explore immobilization of undesirable anionic species released from fly ash (FA) blended cement. This study clarifies the stabilities of several undesirable anionic species, through dissolution tests under a different matrix. The immobilization mechanism mainly involves co-precipitation with ettringite and hydrocalumite, the marginal formation of insoluble Ca salts, and occlusion in calcium silicate hydrates and amorphous phases produced during the pozzolanic reaction. The products released some amounts of chromate, arsenate, and selenite but not borate in dissolution tests. Elution of borate was the most effectively immobilized by Ca additives, owing to selective incorporation in ettringite. Moreover, selenite showed a trend of dissolving in acidic conditions, presumably owing to the dissolution of CaSeO3 with relatively high Ksp in addition to coprecipitation with hydrocalumite and ettringite. Under the present mixing condition of cementation, only selenite is a cautionary species which excessively eluted over the environmental standard. [Display omitted] •Stabilities of several undesirable anionic species in FA blended cement were interpreted.•Immobilization mechanism is mainly co-precipitation with ettringite and hydrocalumite.•Formation of insoluble Ca salts and occlusion in pozzolanic reaction products were also confirmed.•Borate was the most effectively immobilized by Ca additives.•Under the present condition, only selenite was eluted over the environmental standard.