Phytostabilization of fly ash from a coalmine in Botswana and biovalorisation of the recovered Napier grass ( <i>Pennisetum purpureum</i> Schumach.)

Abstract

The disposal of fly ash (FA) from coal power plants polluting the air, soil, and groundwater is a major environmental concern. Phytoremediation to rehabilitate fly ash dumpsites is a promising alternative but has practical concerns about the disposal of harvested biomass. This study investigated the effect of supplementing fly ash with fresh sewage sludge (FSS), aged sewage sludge, food waste, and compost (COM) to enhance the phytoremediation potential of Napier grass and its subsequent utilization for ethanol production. The highest removal of Mn (1196.12 g ha^-1) and Ni (128.06 g ha^-1) from FA could be obtained when Napier is grown in the presence of FSS and inorganic fertilizer (NPK). In addition, the highest bioethanol yield (19.31 g L^-1) was obtained from Napier grown in fly ash with COM + NPK, thus providing additional economic benefits aside from the remediation process. Given the significant levels of heavy metals present in the pulp and bio-slurry after ethanol production, further research is required in this area to determine the best ways to utilize this waste such as converting it into biochar.