Copper (2+), Zinc (2+), and Nickel (2+) Uptake by Activated Sludge

Abstract

Abstract This paper reports the results obtained on copper, zinc, and nickel uptake by activated sludge in a completely mixed unit. Removal of these heavy metals from wastewater occurs by uptake and by precipitation, the latter being particularly important in the cases of copper and zinc. The amount of heavy metal taken up by the microorganisms at equilibrium varies with influent concentration for the three metals studied. The values obtained range from 2.3 mg/g VSS for copper at 1 mg/L in the influent to 57.4 mg/g VSS for nickel at influent 25 mg/L. Soluble metal removal from wastewater increases in percentage with influent concentration, being higher for copper and lower for nickel. Experiments with mixtures of these metals have also been carried out.