Title: Effect of sludge age on heavy metal biosorption by selector activated sludge

Authors: Ufuk Alkan, Sevil Caliskan Eleren

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Department of Environmental Engineering, Uludag University, 16059 Gorukle, Bursa, Turkey. ' Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Department of Environmental Engineering, Uludag University, 16059 Gorukle, Bursa, Turkey

Abstract: The influence of sludge age on the metal biosorption characteristics of an aerobic selector-activated sludge was investigated. Two bench-scale aerobic-activated sludge systems were operated at sludge ages of 5 days and 15 days for studying biosorption of Cu and Cr(VI). In-vitro batch experiments were performed to compare biosorption characteristics of the sludge samples harvested from the bench-scale systems. Adsorption capacity (k) of the sludge for both of the metals was found to decrease with increasing sludge age from 5 days to 15 days However, percent removals of the metals were variable in relation to sludge age. Although Cr(VI) removal increased from 33% to 68%, Cu removal exhibited a slight decrease from 81% to 74% with increasing sludge age.

Keywords: activated sludge; aerobic selector; biosorption; copper; heavy metals; hexavalent chromium; sludge age; metal removal; wastewater treatment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2008.020806

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2008 Vol.34 No.1/2/3/4, pp.400 - 411

Published online: 16 Oct 2008 *

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