LIXIVIAÇÃO DE SULFATO E METAIS PESADOS EM CONCRETO PERMEÁVEL PRODUZIDO COM AGREGADO RECICLADO DE RESÍDUOS SÓLIDOS DA CONSTRUÇÃO CIVIL

Abstract

The use of recycled aggregates for producing concrete has been studied as a way to reuse construction waste. However, these aggregates may contain contaminants that may cause the leaching of pollutants, especially in open places, such as floors and sidewalks. Thus, the objective of this study was to verify the releasing of sulfates and heavy metals in the water by leaching of pervious concrete made of recycled aggregates. Six types of aggregates were produced with uniform granulometric distribution. One of the aggregates was conventional aggregate and the other ones were recycled aggregates. For each type of aggregate, containing different ceramic contents, concrete specimens were made. To perform the leaching test, pervious concrete specimens were immersed in ultrapure water, which was renewed after 24, 48, 168 and 384 h from the start of the test. The leached water was analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, alkalinity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), total solids, sulfates and potentially toxic elements (Cr, Cd, Zn, Pb, Cu). It was verified that all concretes produced had a permeability coefficient above the minimum recommended value for use as a pervious pavement, of 0,10 cm.s-1. However, the maximum compressive strength obtained was 10,15 MPa, not reaching the minimum for use in pavements (20 MPa). The incorporation of ceramic material in the aggregate resulted in an increase in water absorption. The leaching tests showed that the pH of the concrete leachate remained alkaline, reaching an overall average value of 11,5. The electrical conductivity throughout the experiment increased, demonstrating that the concrete continued to release ions over the 16 day period. The mean sulfate concentration in the leachate varied between 21,3 and 71,7 mg.L-1 after 24 h of the test, gradually reducing until the last sampling, in which the concentration was between 2,4 and 21,6 mg.L-1. No direct relationship between the sulfate concentration and the ceramic content in the aggregate was observed. However, it was visually verified that a specimen was contaminated with gypsum, implying a sulfate concentration five times higher than the other samples of the same treatment, increasing the mean of the treatment. Significant quantities of chromium were detected in the leachate, mainly of the concrete made with 100% ceramic aggregate, which released 0,083 mg.L-1 of chromium. In all treatments, cadmium concentrations in the leachate were between 0,009 and 0,113 mg.L-1, exceeding the maximum limit of 0,005 mg.L-1, established by Brazilian Standard (NBR) 10004:2004.