Abstract
Metal removal in the activated sludge process has been determined by adding metals to samples of mixed liquor developed in a synthetic sewage, followed by separation of soluble and particulate forms of the metals using membrane filtration. The importance of precipitation in metal removal was evaluated by adding metals to mixed liquor filtrates and removing precipitates by filtration. The removal efficiencies of Pb, Cr(III) and Cu, to a lesser extent, were unaffected by changing sludge age or increasing metal concentration due to their low solubility. The predominantly soluble metals responded to sludge age in similar ways, with maximum removal generally occurring at a sludge age of 12 days. The percentage removals of the soluble metals decreased as increasing concentrations were added, but there was no evidence of saturation of the biomass. Experiments undertaken to investigate synergistic or antagonistic reactions between metals indicated that competition for activated sludge binding sites did not occur to any significant extent, but some interactions between metals having a tendency to precipitate were observed.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Environmental Pollution. Series A, Ecological and Biological
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
