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Heavy Metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Urban Leaf Litter Designated for Combustion

Author

Listed:
  • Meike Nitsche

    (Department of Grassland Science and Renewable Plant Resources, Kassel University, Steinstrasse 19, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany)

  • Nodirjon Nurmatov

    (Department of Grassland Science and Renewable Plant Resources, Kassel University, Steinstrasse 19, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany)

  • Frank Hensgen

    (Department of Grassland Science and Renewable Plant Resources, Kassel University, Steinstrasse 19, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany)

  • Michael Wachendorf

    (Department of Grassland Science and Renewable Plant Resources, Kassel University, Steinstrasse 19, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany)

Abstract

Vast amounts of leaf litter have to be disposed of by city administrations. This biomass has the potential for energy conversion, but contamination with pollutants can adversely affect this usage. We investigated leaf litter samples from the city of Kassel by analyzing their heavy metal and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations. Leaf samples were indeed contaminated with heavy metals and PAHs and contamination was influenced by provenience and collection technique. A simple cleaning system of washing and subsequent mechanical dewatering significantly reduced heavy metal concentration. Regression models were developed for contamination with heavy metals which showed that contamination could be successfully estimated using the total ash content of the sample as a predictor, with an R 2 of up to 0.77. It can be concluded that leaf litter from cities is a possible feedstock for energetic conversion, provided a cleaning step is applied.

Suggested Citation

  • Meike Nitsche & Nodirjon Nurmatov & Frank Hensgen & Michael Wachendorf, 2017. "Heavy Metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Urban Leaf Litter Designated for Combustion," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:10:y:2017:i:3:p:298-:d:92051
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jan Hari Arti Khalsa & Frank Döhling & Florian Berger, 2016. "Foliage and Grass as Fuel Pellets–Small Scale Combustion of Washed and Mechanically Leached Biomass," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-16, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Meike Nitsche & Frank Hensgen & Michael Wachendorf, 2017. "Using Grass Cuttings from Sports Fields for Anaerobic Digestion and Combustion," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-11, March.

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