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Fly ash can be utilized as an important resource. Justify this statement.

Introduction:

Fly ash is a by-product of coal burning. It is majorly obtained in the thermal power plants. It contains: Aluminum Silicate in large quantity, Silicon dioxide and Calcium Oxide along with other particles such as heavy metallic oxides.

Body:

Benefits of Fly ash:

• It can replace cement upto 40% in construction and related activities
• Bricks can be manufactured by fly ash which are light weight and durable
• Used in road embankments
• Used in filling up the abandoned mines
• It can increase crop yield when added to soil in suitable proportion
• Water holding capacity is increased

Challenges involved:

• Contains excess of unburnt carbon
• Improper disposal
• Affects the aquatic life when mixed with water in large quantity
• They are a major toxic air pollutant which can cause diseases like cancer, asthma, lung disorders.
• Leaching effect of heavy metals
• Soil pollution thus affecting the crops when not managed properly

Conclusion:

The Fly ash is allocated by the National Thermal Power Corporation to the industries. Lack of supply is hampering these industries in India. Therefore a suitable measure should be taken in order to reuse the majority of Fly ash by streamlining the processes.