Heavy metals absorption by excessive activated sludge of biological treatment facilities

Abstract

The study was conducted at the biological treatment facilities of Veliky Novgorod. It has been established that the main percentage of metals is contained in the organic component of the conditionally solid phase of excess activated sludge. Based on the study of the elemental composition of the excess activated sludge, it is concluded that organic compounds containing aromatic, aliphatic and amine-containing functional groups are very diverse in the excess activated sludge. Main classes of substances making up the excess activated sludge are established. The mass fractions of the main classes of organic compounds established by the rational method are in good agreement with the analysis of the main classes of organic compounds that make up the excess activated sludge of biological treatment plants. The main compounds making up the inorganic component of the conditionally solid phase of excess activated sludge are determined. The study reveals a large variety of both organic and inorganic compounds in the excess activated sludge, which are able to bind heavy metal ions from aqueous medium due to physical and chemical interactions.