Study of SEM/EDXS and FTIR for Fly Ash to Determine the Chemical Changes of Ash in Marine Environment

In this paper, the chemical changes and impact of fly ash in contact with sea water in the earlier dumpsite near Tuticorin thermal power plant was characterized by SEM/EDXS and FTIR. The morphology and elemental composition of fly ash were characterized SEM/EDXS and functional group analysis was studied by FTIR spectrum. The chemical changes of ash in earlier dumpsite was determined by comparing with fresh ash taken from power plant and with sediment taken from 2 km away from dumpsite. The morphology of SEM showed fly ash has spherical particles and in ash from dump site few spherical balls were seen and confirmed the contamination of fly ash. The results of EDXS showed that all the three ash samples predominantly contributed the elements of oxygen, aluminium, silicon and low content of iron, calcium, and potassium in fly ash, iron, calcium, potassium, chloride in bottom ash and iron, calcium, potassium, chloride, and magnesium in ash from dump site. Calcium content in fresh fly ash showed less than 10 %. FTIR spectra for all sediment samples showed peaks associated with quartz, feldspar, Montmorillonite, organic matter and nitrate. The present study revealed that the chemical changes occurred in ash in marine environment and thereby altered the quality of sea water.