Enrichment of al, fe, ca, mg, and Na in the ash released from the Assiut Thermal Power Plant, Egypt

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the ash content resulting from the combustion of heavy fuel oil (HFO) at the Assiut Thermal Power Plant in Egypt, with a specific focus on the enrichment of trace metals and their environmental implications. We meticulously quantified the concentrations of Na, K, Mg, Fe, Ca, and Al in both HFO and the resultant ash. The calculated pollution indices, such as the Single Element Pollution Index (SEPI), Combined Pollution Index (CPI), and Pollution Load Index (PLI), reveal the severe environmental impact. The SEPI values for metals in ash ranged from 384.62 for Al to 34,000 for K, indicating a high contamination level. The CPI was 12,373.4, signifying a severe metal accumulation, while the PLI was 655.1, reflecting a significant pollution load. These findings underscore the urgent need for immediate and effective pollution control measures and sustainable waste management practices. The results provide a foundation for future research on advanced pollution control technologies and the long-term environmental impacts of trace metal accumulation, contributing to the development of improved environmental management strategies.