Leaching of Selected Trace Elements from Plant Growth Media Composed of Coal Fly Ash (FA), and of FA amended with Sphagnum Peat Moss and Soil. Part 1: Leaching of trace Elements from Group 1: Cesium (Cs) and Lithium (Li), and from Group 2: Beryllium (Be), Strontium (Sr), and Barium (Ba).

This study investigated the leaching of selected trace elements (Cs, Li, Be, Sr, and Ba) from plant growth media made of two coal fly ashes (one from semi-bituminous coal and one from lignite), and from these ashes combined with the soil and with the soil and sphagnum peat moss. Leachate fractions will be collected at each ½ pore volume for a total of five pore volumes. Concentrations of mentioned above trace elements in plant growth media and in leachate has been determined using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) emission spectrophotometry. The presence of sphagnum peat moss and soil in coal ash based plant growth media expressed ameliorative role reducing the presence of trace elements in the leachate. Elevated concentrations of Li, Sr and Ba in the leachate may cause some en environmental health concerns and require further investigations.