Ecotoxicity of Concrete Containing Fine-Recycled Aggregate: Effect on Photosynthetic Pigments, Soil Enzymatic Activity and Carbonation Process

Diana Mariaková, Klára Anna Mocová, Jan Pešta, Kristina Fořtová, Bhavna Tripathi, Tereza Pavlů and Petr Hájek
Additional contact information
Diana Mariaková: Research Team Architecture and the Environment, University Centre for Energy Efficient Buildings of Czech Technical University in Prague, Trinecka 1024, 273 43 Bustehrad, Czech Republic
Klára Anna Mocová: Department of Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Environmental Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technicka 5, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic
Jan Pešta: Research Team Architecture and the Environment, University Centre for Energy Efficient Buildings of Czech Technical University in Prague, Trinecka 1024, 273 43 Bustehrad, Czech Republic
Kristina Fořtová: Research Team Architecture and the Environment, University Centre for Energy Efficient Buildings of Czech Technical University in Prague, Trinecka 1024, 273 43 Bustehrad, Czech Republic
Bhavna Tripathi: School of Civil and Chemical Engineering, Manipal University Jaipur, Dehmi Kalan, Jaipur 303 007, India
Tereza Pavlů: Research Team Architecture and the Environment, University Centre for Energy Efficient Buildings of Czech Technical University in Prague, Trinecka 1024, 273 43 Bustehrad, Czech Republic
Petr Hájek: Research Team Architecture and the Environment, University Centre for Energy Efficient Buildings of Czech Technical University in Prague, Trinecka 1024, 273 43 Bustehrad, Czech Republic

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 3, 1-24

Abstract: Recycling of materials such as masonry or concrete is one of the suitable ways to reduce amount of disposed construction and demolition waste (CDW). However, the environmental safety of products containing recycled materials must be guaranteed. To verify overall environmental benefits of recycled concrete, this work considers ecotoxicity of recycled concrete, as well as potential environmental impacts of their life cycle. Moreover, impacts related with carbonation of concrete is considered in terms of durability and influence of potential CO 2 uptake. Concrete containing fine recycled aggregate from two different sources (masonry and concrete) were examined experimentally at the biochemical level and compared with reference samples. Leaching experiments are performed in order to assess physicochemical properties and aquatic ecotoxicity using water flea, freshwater algae and duckweed. The consequences, such as effects of material on soil enzymatic activity (dehydrogenase activity), photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids), and the carbonation process, are verified in the laboratory and included in the comparison with the theoretical life cycle assessment. As a conclusion, environmental safety of recycled concrete was verified, and its overall potential environmental impact was lower in comparison with reference concrete.

Keywords: recycled concrete; carbonation; life cycle assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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