A Review on Physicochemical Characteristics of Coal Ash and Soil

Vijay Kumar  Meshram; Rajesh Kumar  Misra; Prabhat Kumar  Tiwari

doi:10.69968/ijisem.2025v4i2155-160

Authors

Vijay Kumar Meshram Research scholar, Department of Civil Engineering, LNCTU, BHOPAL.
Rajesh Kumar Misra Research scholar, Department of Civil Engineering, LNCTU, BHOPAL.
Prabhat Kumar Tiwari Research scholar, Department of Civil Engineering, LNCTU, BHOPAL.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69968/ijisem.2025v4i2155-160

Keywords:

Coal ash, Fly ash (FA), Coal combustion residue (CCR), Soil stabilization, Crop growth, Heavy metal

Abstract

The yearly output of coal fly ash, which supports industrial production and economic growth, amounts to tens of millions of tonnes. With millions of "coal combustion residue (CCR)", burning coal has been one of the most common energy sources over the last 200 years. The permanent chemical and physical modification of soils to improve their physical characteristics is known as soil stabilisation. Portland cement, fly ash, and lime are just a few of the chemical additions that may be used to stabilise. This article reviews the many studies on the composition and physicochemical properties of soil and coal ash. It concluded that coal ash amendment increases soil nutrient content—particularly sodium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur, potassium, and phosphorus—most prominently in the humus horizon. While biomass showed modest gains, coal ash’s low organic matter and slow nutrient release limited significant improvements in crop growth. Moreover, excessive or repeated application, especially of unmodified coal ash, poses serious environmental concerns by elevating heavy metal levels (Pb, Cr, Cu) in soil and crops like pakchoi, thereby increasing pollution risks over time. Therefore, careful management and possible pre-treatment of coal ash are crucial for safe agricultural use.

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