Evaluation of the environmental hazard of char residues produced in the co-pyrolysis of different wastes: chemical and ecotoxicological characterization

Char residues produced in co-pyrolysis of different wastes were characterized through chemical and toxicity tests. A fraction of the solid chars was treated by extraction with dichloromethane. Different volatility fractions present in the extracted and non extracted char were evaluated. A selected group of heavy metals was determined in both chars. Chars were subjected to the leaching test ISO/TS 21268 - 2 and the resulting eluates were further characterized by determining a group of inorganic parameters and the concentrations of several organic contaminants. An ecotoxicological characterization was performed by using the bio-indicator Vibrio fischeri.The chemical and ecotoxicological characterization led to a classification of the chars as ecotoxic materials.