Leaching tests of heavy metals stabilized with Portland cement

The results of single extractions can present a very different picture of material decomposition when compared to the results of sequential tests. Leaching tests should provide information about the behavior and mobility of wastes disposed in the environment. The research reported here was conducted to show the variation of leachate composition over time using 15 sequential dilute acetic acid extractions. The solids that remained after extraction were subjected to three sequential digestions with successively stronger acids. The final digestion completely dissolved the residual material. Leachate analyses showed the release of heavy metals, and cement paste degradation.