Ecotoxicidad de las escorias procedentes del reciclado de plomo de baterías agotadas

Resumen

The slag generated in the process of recycling lead from used batteries contains heavy metals, mainly iron and lead, as well as carbonates, which decrease with storage time Various samples of slag were taken and leached in order to determine both their ecotoxic, employing the biolurniscence method, and their content in heavy metals. Recently generated slag was found to be ecotoxic according to current legislation, whereas the slag that underwent a six month storage period was found to be non-ecotoxic, with EC50 values higher than 3000 mg/l. A direct relationship was observed between the iron and lead contents and the ecotoxicity values However, the most interesting conclusion of the study was the clear relationship found between storage time and ecotoxicity If the slag remains stored long enough, it loses its ecotoxic character as a result of the leaching of the soluble metallic carbonates. The required storage time will depend on weather conditions, fundamentally local rainfall, when no other contributions of water are made. The leachate generated must be collected in order to control its pH and metals contents.