The behaviour of heavy metals during wastewater treatment. I. Cadmium, chromium and copper.

Abstract Mechanisms of metal removal during sewage treatment are reviewed and the application of these mechanisms to cadmium, chromium and copper removals are discussed. Sampling was performed at Whitlingham sewage treatment works (Anglian Water), Norwich, to assess the removal mechanisms of these metals, with reference to partitioning between particulate and soluble phases. Mass balances were performed as a means of quality control. It was concluded that the metals were primarily associated with suspended solids. However, considerable solubilization of cadmium and copper occurred during activated sludge treatment, possibly due to the addition of anaerobic solids in the overflow from a waste activated sludge consolidation tank. Chromium was not affected in a similar manner, possibly due to a change in its valency state.

[1]  K Y Chen,et al.  Trace metals in wastewater effluents. , 1974, Journal - Water Pollution Control Federation.

[2]  H. G. Brown,et al.  Efficiency of Heavy Metals Removal in Municipal Sewage Treatment Plants , 1973 .

[3]  Barry G. Oliver,et al.  The efficiency of heavy metal removal by a conventional activated sludge treatment plant , 1974 .

[4]  John N. Lester,et al.  Metal removal in activated sludge: the role of bacterial extracellular polymers , 1979 .

[5]  John N. Lester,et al.  Significance and behaviour of heavy metals in waste water treatment processes I. Sewage treatment and effluent discharge , 1983 .

[6]  John N. Lester,et al.  Formation and conditional stability constants of complexes formed between heavy metals and bacterial extracellular polymers , 1984 .

[7]  John N. Lester,et al.  Metal removal by adsorption and precipitation in the activated sludge process , 1981 .

[8]  S. Nambu,et al.  Biochemical and physical properties of an activated sludge on settling characteristics , 1976 .

[9]  John N. Lester,et al.  Heavy metal removal in primary sedimentation I. The influence of metal solubility , 1987 .

[10]  R. M. Harrison,et al.  The balance of heavy metals through a sewage treatment works I. Lead, cadmium and copper , 1979 .

[11]  E. Broda,et al.  Energy-dependent zinc transport by escherichia coli. , 1974, European journal of biochemistry.

[12]  John N. Lester,et al.  The influence of flow conditions on the removal of heavy metals in the primary sedimentation process , 1983, Water, Air, and Soil Pollution.

[13]  K. Budd,et al.  Zinc Uptake in Neocosmospora vasinfecta , 1972 .

[14]  J. Lester,et al.  Heavy metal behaviour during the activated sludge process I. Extent of soluble and insoluble metal removal , 1987 .

[15]  John N. Lester,et al.  The influence of sludge age on heavy metal removal in the activated sludge process , 1981 .

[16]  John N. Lester,et al.  The balance of heavy metals through a sewage treatment works II. Chromium, nickel and zinc , 1979 .

[17]  R. J. Bartlett,et al.  Behavior of Chromium in Soils: I. Trivalent Forms , 1976 .

[18]  J. Novak,et al.  Factors Influencing Activated Sludge Properties , 1977 .