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2025 Vol.30, Issue 5 Preview Page
Environmental Impact Assessment of Steel Slag Recycling Sites in Korea

국내 철강슬래그의 재활용 부지에 대한 환경오염 영향조사

Dongjin Kim1
,
Jeongwoo Kim2
,
Gihun Park2
,
Hyukjin Cho3
,
Jaemin Kim4
,
Jeong-yong Cheon2*
김동진 1
,
김정우 2
,
박기훈 2
,
조혁진 3
,
김재민 4
,
천정용 2*
1Environmental Research Insititute, Kangwon National University, Gangwon-Go 24341, Republic of Korea
2Geogreen21 Co., Ltd., Seoul 08376, Republic of Korea
3K-water, Andong, 36611, Republic of Korea
4Young Poong Co., Ltd., Bonghwa 36272, Republic of Korea
1강원대학교 환경연구소
2(주)지오그린21
3한국수자원공사 안동권지사
4(주)영풍
*Corresponding Author
31 October 2025. pp. 84-97
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Abstract

This study surveyed the environmental pollution impacts of a steel slag recycling site located in Dangjin, Korea. Approximately 257,000 tons of steel slag were used, and public concerns were raised due to turbidity and high pH leachate observed after rainfall events. To assess potential contamination, analyses and field surveys were conducted, including leaching tests, up-flow leaching tests, and environmental monitoring of soil, groundwater, and surface water. The steel slag samples met the national regulatory limits for all detected heavy metals, cyanides, and fluorides. However, the pH of the slag was elevated, ranging from 8.1 to 10.4. Soil analysis results showed that the concentration of contaminants was below the Korean soil contamination concern standard and no direct evidence of slag contamination was found. Groundwater and surface water quality also met drinking water and environmental standards, although slightly higher pH and fluoride levels were observed at some locations, which were more likely attributable to local geological conditions rather than the slag. Overall, this study confirmed that the steel slag used in the field is environmentally recyclable. However, high pH may pose a potential risk to the surrounding ecosystem. Therefore, long-term maturation, pH control, and long-term environmental monitoring are necessary to ensure the safe and sustainable reuse of steel slag in land reclamation and construction.

Keywords
Free CaO
Steelmaking slag
Slag recycling site
Leachate
Alkaline leachate
Slag aging
References

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Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국지하수토양환경학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
  • Journal Title(Ko) :지하수토양환경
  • Volume : 30
  • No :5
  • Pages :84-97
  • Received Date : 2025-08-28
  • Revised Date : 2025-09-24
  • Accepted Date : 2025-10-30
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7857/JSGE.2025.30.5.084
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