Evaluation of chemical composition and radioactivity of slags in terms of their potential for reuse for fertilizer purposes — a literature review

Abstract This article discusses the growing importance of using industrial waste, including furnace slag, in the production of agricultural fertilizer, recycling raw material for sustainable development and a closed-loop economy. Furnace slag, which is generated in coal combustion processes in industrial furnaces, is a valuable waste material, the yield of which depends on a number of factors, such as the type of fuel used, dust removal efficiency, and furnace type. In addition to furnace slag, other types of slag have been distinguished, such as metallurgical slags and those generated after burning municipal waste. Currently, the possibility of recovering metals from slags, especially steelmaking slags, and their use in processes such as cementing or geopolymerization is gaining importance. The potential use of these wastes as a fertilizer ingredient is also an important direction of management. Nonetheless, further research is needed concerning the safety of using these materials in agriculture, due to their high identified content of heavy metals and hazardous substances. Of great importance in terms of slag reuse is the monitoring of radioactivity parameters, especially in the context of slag’s potential use in fertilizers.