Influent concentrations and removal performances of metals through municipal wastewater treatment processes

This extensive study aimed at quantifying the concentrations and removal efficiency of 23 metals and metalloids in domestic wastewater passing through full-scale plants. Nine facilities were equipped with secondary biological treatment and three facilities were equipped with a tertiary treatment stage. The metals investigated were Li, B, Al, Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, TI, Pb and U. Particulate and dissolved metals were measured using 24 h composite samples at each treatment stage. In influents, total concentrations of Cd, Sb, Co, Se, U, Ag, V were below a few microg/L, whereas at the other extremity Zn, B, Fe, Ti, Al were in the range of 0.1 to > 1 mg/L. It was demonstrated that secondary treatment stage (activated sludge, biodisc and membrane bioreactor) were efficient to remove most metals (removal rate > 70%), with the exception of B, Li, Rb, Mo, Co, As, Sb and V due to their low adsorption capacities. With the tested tertiary stages (polishing pond, rapid chemical settler, ozonation), a removal efficiency was obtained for Ti, Cr, Cd, Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, Fe, Ag and Al, whereas a little removal (< 30%) was obtained for other metals.     

Evaluation of heavy metal inhibition of activated sludge by TTC and INT-electron transport system activity tests.

TTC and INT-electron transport system activity tests were compared for assessing heavy metal inhibition of activated sludge. The median inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) of Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Hg2+, Ni2+, Pb2+ and Ag+ measured via TTC test were lower than those measured via INT test, which indicates that the INT-electron transport system activity test was less sensitive to heavy metal toxicity than the TTC test. Tested heavy metals brought about similar decrease in TTC-electron transport system activity and COD removal rate, but less decrease in INT-electron transport system activity than COD removal rate, which suggests that the TTC-electron transport system activity is a better parameter for reflecting heavy metal inhibition of activated sludge than INT-electron transport system activity. The ranking of tested heavy metals in order of decreasing toxicity based on TTC test was Hg2+, Cd2+, Cu2+, Ag+, Zn2+, Ni2+ and Pb2+, and the ranking based on INT test was Hg2+, Ag+, Cu2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, Ni2+ and Pb2+.     

海河流域中部表层沉积物中重金属分布特征及污染评价

为了解海河流域中部表层沉积物中重金属分布特征和污染现状,分别测定了17个采样点表层沉积物中Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Cd、Hg、Pb共8种重金属元素质量比,并采用相关性分析法、富集系数法、地累积指数法分析其同源性、污染来源及污染程度。结果表明：海河流域中部表层沉积物中重金属质量比整体上较历史水平有所下降,8种重金属元素的污染系数从高到低依次为Cd（1-98）、Hg（1-80）、Cu（1-37）、Zn（1-18）、Pb（1-12）、Ni（1-07）、Cr（1-02）、As（0-77）,Cd污染相对严重;Cd和Hg的富集系数平均值均高于1-5,污染来源以人为输入为主,其余6种重金属元素则主要以自然来源为主;海河流域中部重金属总体上污染较轻,个别点位污染等级达到中度污染。     

大燕河沉积物重金属污染特征及生态风险分析

为了解大燕河表层沉积物重金属污染特征及潜在生态风险,对大燕河干流和支流沉积物重金属污染物进行了分析,并采用Hakanson生态危害指数法进行评价。结果表明,大燕河干流沉积物重金属含量明显高于支流,重金属含量高于广东省土壤背景值,Cu、Cd、Zn、Pb、Hg超出了土壤环境质量Ⅰ级标准。沉积物中重金属Cu、Cd的富集系数明显高于其他重金属,不同采样点重金属超出背景值的程度具有明显的差异性,呈现干流高于支流,下游高于上游的特征。沉积物中重金属具有极强的生态危害,各种重金属造成的平均生态危害程度由大到小依次为:CdHgCuAsPbZnNiCr,其潜在生态风险应引起足够的重视。     

松花江流域鱼体内重金属含量的监测与污染评价

为研究松花江流域鱼体重金属的污染现状,采用微波消解-电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定松花江流域鱼类体内的Cu、Zn、Cr、Cd、Pb、Hg、As等7种重金属的残留量,使用综合污染指数法对污染情况进行了评价。结果表明,松花江鱼体中7种重金属的基准值由高到低依次为Zn、Cu、Cr、As、Pb、Hg和Cd,且除Hg以外,其他6种重金属的来源具有一定的相似性;第二松花江流域中鱼体内重金属残留量高于嫩江和松花江干流两条流域中鱼体内重金属残留量;参照《无公害食品水产品中有毒有害物质的限量标准》(NK 5073-2006)和《食品中锌限量卫生标准》(GB13106-1991),鱼体内Pb、As、Cr和Zn的超标率很高,特别是Pb和As的污染比较严重。     

东湖沉积物中重金属垂向分布特征及污染评价

为了掌握武汉东湖的水环境状况,以沉积物为研究对象,使用电感耦合等离子体质谱仪(ICP-MS)测定了不同湖域沉积物柱状样中9种重金属(Cd、Zn、As、Cu、Co、Pb、Mn、Cr、Ni)含量,对重金属元素的垂向分布特征进行了研究,并采用地累积指数法对重金属的污染程度进行评价。结果表明:沉积物中9种重金属元素含量排序为MnCrPbZnNiCuCoAsCd;垂向分布特征为Cr、Ni的含量随沉积物深度增加而增加,Cu、As、Cd的含量随沉积物深度增加而减少。地累积指数评价表明,郭郑湖西岸污染最为严重,汤菱湖最轻,累积较为严重的是Cr、Mn、Cd和Pb,其中Cd和Pb达到中度污染程度。     

江苏省中部城镇河流底泥重金属污染评价及来源分析

为研究河流底泥中重金属的来源以及对环境的危害程度,以江苏省中部某城镇河流底泥为主要研究对象,运用潜在生态风险指数法对重金属污染进行评价,并采用Pearson相关分析、R型聚类分析法对重金属污染来源进行分析。结果表明：Hg、Cd、As、Cu、Ni、Pb、Cr和Zn含量平均值分别为0.41、0.36、12.04、43.26、48.77、35.95、108.11、140.30 mg/kg;重金属Cd、Hg的危害最强且污染较重,Cd污染主要与冶炼、化石燃料燃烧、涂料颜料业有关,Hg污染主要与化石燃料燃烧有关,Cr污染主要与合金制品制造有关,Cu和Ni污染与电镀加工过程有关,As和Zn污染主要与化工制造业有关。     

Accumulation and Transport of Sediment Metals by the Vertically Migrating Opossum Shrimp,Mysis relicta

This study examined the accumulation of metals (Al, As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni, V, and Zn) in the opossum shrimp Mysis relicta from sediments to understand the contribution of sediment metals to overall body burden metal contents. Metal biota-sediment accumulation factors, tissue depuration ratios, and sediment metal assimilation efficiencies were calculated to examine the extent to which mysids accumulate metals from sediments contained within their guts. Results were then used to estimate the concentrations of metals transported to the water column and to fish because of mysid diel vertical migration. Results showed that Al, Cr, Fe, and V were readily depurated (34 to 73% of total body burden) and were not preferentially accumulated in mysid tissues (Biota Sediment Accumulation Factor, BSAF < 0.009). In comparison, As, Cd, Cu, and Zn were not readily depurated (9 to 26% of total body burden) and were more readily accumulated in mysid tissues (BSAF > 0.037). Nickel shows an intermediate behavior for depuration and accumulation. Calculations suggest that following 12 hours depuration through vertical migration, about 1.57 μg sediment/mysid (0.05% of dry weight of M. relicta) remained as gut contents. As a result, 16 to 50% of the Al, Cr, Fe, Ni, and V and 1.0 to 5.5% of the As, Cd, Cu, and Zn mysid body burden metal content transported to the water column was attributed to sediment in the gut. These results indicate that trace metals (As, Cd, Cu, and Zn) ingested from sediments are poorly accumulated in mysids (calculated AEs ranged from 0.07 for Cr to -11 for Cu) and metals transported by mysids to fish in the water column are primarily associated with mysid tissues.     

长江中下游底泥重金属污染特征、潜在生态风险评价及来源分析

为探究长江中下游底泥重金属污染状况,对长江中下游主干河流及湖泊的27个断面的底泥进行采集并测定镉、铅、铬、铜、锌、砷和汞的浓度。运用潜在生态风险指数法对重金属污染进行评价,并采用相关分析和主成分分析对重金属的污染来源进行分析。结果表明:Hg、Cd、Pb、Cr、Cu、Zn和As的含量分别为0.010～0.55 mg/kg、0.016～0.17 mg/kg、13.04～110.03 mg/kg、42.03～121.03 mg/kg、21.70～75.10 mg/kg、48.01～750.01 mg/kg和6.03～82.95 mg/kg。重金属浓度较高的地方位于较为发达的城市(武汉和南京)、采矿业发达的地区(安庆、大通和芜湖)、港口城市(城陵矶)以及湖泊(鄱阳湖和东洞庭湖)。由潜在生态风险评价可知,7种重金属污染程度的大小顺序为:HgAs PbCdCuCrZn。相关分析和主成分分析结果表明Pb、Cd、Zn、Cu、Hg和Cr主要来源于煤炭燃烧、农业活动及生活污水,As主要来源于采矿业和航运业。长江中下游及湖泊底泥所有点位的Pb、Cu、Cr、Zn和Cd均处于轻微潜在生态风险状态,As和Hg在部分点位具有较高潜在生态风险。结合所有重金属元素来说,长江中下游以及湖泊底泥的潜在生态风险水平较低。     

南四湖表层底泥重金属空间分布及污染程度评价

测试南四湖湖区29个表层底泥中重金属Hg、Cd、Cr、Pb、Ni、Cu、Zn和类金属As的质量比,得到南四湖湖区重金属污染的空间分布特征。结合地质积累指数法和潜在生态风险指数法,对南四湖重金属污染程度进行评价。结果表明,南四湖已受到重金属元素的污染,属于中等程度污染湖泊,其中以As、Hg、Cd、Pb元素污染严重。除了As、Cd元素在下级湖表层底泥中的质量比略高外,其他重金属元素在上级湖的污染程度普遍比在下级湖的高;二级坝以北的昭阳湖湖区潜在生态危害最为严重,其次是南阳湖、微山湖、独山湖和二级坝以南的昭阳湖湖区。     

浸提时间对城市污泥重金属浸出特性的影响

在研究含工业废水污泥中Zn、Cu、Pb、Cr、Mn、Ni含量的基础上,应用固体废物浸出毒性方法,以不同浸出时间对污泥中重金属的浸出特性进行了实验研究.结果表明:污泥中Mn和Zn含量较高,其次为Cu和Ni,而毒性较大的Pb和Cr含量较低.浸提时间对污泥中重金属的浸出具有重要影响,污泥中的Zn、Cu、Ni最大浸出浓度在8h时,而Fe和Mn随着浸提时间增加而增加;浸提时间对污泥中重金属浸出量的影响因该重金属的化学性质不同而存在较明显的差别,这可能与浸提过程中的吸附-解吸过程、络合-解离过程和溶解-沉淀/共沉淀等因素有关.     

吉林市排污河底泥的污染状况及其生态风险评价

以吉林市排污河中底泥为主要研究对象,布置12个监测断面35个代表性采样点,采集并分析了河道内底泥样品中8种重金属及16种USEPA优先控制的多环芳烃的含量,并分别采用地质累积指数法(I_(geo))、潜在生态风险评价法(PERI)、沉积物质量基准法(SQGs)对排污河底泥中污染物进行了生态风险评价。结果表明,该排污河底泥中重金属及多环芳烃均不同程度超过松花江水系沉积物背景值,其中Hg、Pb、Cu、As、NAP、ANT超标倍数分别为87.5、10.2、6.18、5.90、115.6和228.5;I_(geo)显示Hg的生态风险最大,I_(geo)达到了5.82,而Cd和Ni的风险较小,这与PERI中Hg风险最大的结果一致;SQGs评价结果表明由重金属及多环芳烃引起的污染会产生生物毒性,且不利生物毒性将频繁发生;(3)以上结果说明,该排污河呈现以Hg为主要风险因子的重金属与多环芳烃复合污染现象,在今后应加强底泥监测和定期清淤,从而推动区域生态环境的治理与恢复。     

Enhanced heavy metals removal without phosphorus loss from anaerobically digested sewage sludge

Heavy metals removal without phosphorus loss from anaerobically digested sewage sludge was investigated by conducting batch experiments using hydrogen peroxide and/or iron sulphate under acidified conditions at pH 3. The addition of hydrogen peroxide to the sludge improved the elution efficiencies of As, Cd, Cu and Zn with phosphorus loss from the sludge. The optimum initial concentrations of hydrogen peroxide were. Respectively. 0.1% for As, Cd, Mn and Zn and 0.5% for Cu and Ni. The combined process of 0.1% hydrogen peroxide and 1 g Fe/L ferric sulphate enhanced the initial elution rate of Cu and Cr compared to the addition of either ferric sulphate or hydrogen peroxide, indicating that oxidants stronger than hydrogen peroxide were produced in the sludge. Furthermore, the combined process immobilised phosphorus in the sludge due to co-precipitation with ferric hydroxide or precipitation as ferric phosphate. It was concluded that there is a possibility that the combined process could remove heavy metals effectively without phosphorus loss from anaerobically digested sewage sludge.     

Application of ionic liquids for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater and activated sludge

This paper presents the results of adsorption studies on the removal of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb and Zn) from standard solutions, real wastewater samples and activated sewage sludge using a new technique of liquid-liquid extraction using quaternary ammonium and phosphonium ionic liquids (ILs). Batch sorption experiments were conducted using the ILs [PR4][TS], [PR4][MTBA], [A336][TS] and [A336][MTBA]. Removal of these heavy metals from standard solutions were not effective, however removal of heavy metals from the industrial effluents/wastewater treatment plants were satisfactory, indicating that the removal depends mainly on the composition of the wastewater and cannot be predicted with standard solutions. Removal of heavy metals from activated sludge proved to be more successful than conventional methods such as incineration, acid extraction, thermal treatment, etc. For the heavy metals Cu, Ni and Zn, ≥90% removal was achieved.     

长江源区主要河流表层沉积物及沿岸土壤重金属分布特征及来源

采用电感耦合等离子体质谱仪和原子荧光分光光度计测定了长江源区主要河流沉积物及周边土壤中14种重金属的含量,并采用富集因子法评价了长江源区主要河流沉积物及土壤中重金属富集程度,同时分析了河流沉积物及沿岸土壤中重金属分布特征及来源。研究结果表明:长江源区主要河流表层沉积物中,除Ni、Pb、Cd、Hg四种重金属外,其他元素含量均低于中国沉积物的平均含量;沉积物中Hg、Ni和Cd存在一定富集;与长江源区其他河流沉积物中重金属相比,沱沱河Cd含量相对较高,楚玛尔河重金属含量均相对较低,而通天河Hg和Fe含量相对较高;沉积物中重金属主要受自然因素影响。土壤中Ni、Pb、Cd、Ti略高于青海省土壤背景值,但重金属富集程度均较低;与长江源区其他河流沿岸土壤中重金属相比,当曲Cr、Ni、Cu含量相对较高,沱沱河Pb、Cd、Sb和Tl含量相对较高,而通天河V含量相对较高;重金属主要受自然因素影响,但部分重金属可能受交通因素影响。研究成果可为长江源区生态环境保护提供基础支撑。     

东江下游水环境重金属污染特征及现状评价

测定东江下游包括东江干流、东江支流和东莞运河的8个监测断面的水质及表层沉积物中As、Ni、Pb、Cd、Cu、Zn、Cr和Hg的质量比,并应用地积累指数法和潜在生态风险评价法对东江下游水环境的重金属污染潜在风险进行评价。结果表明,东江下游表层沉积物中重金属积累明显,Cd的地积累指数对应的污染程度为极强;Hg为中—强;Cu、Zn在东江干流为中,在东江支流和东莞运河达到强—极强。潜在生态风险评价显示,东江下游区段(包括东江干流、东江支流和东莞运河)的潜在生态危害指数接近或超过300,表明重金属引起的东江下游潜在生态风险程度达到了重度;存在潜在生态风险的重金属类物质主要是Cd、Hg和Cu,其危害程度由大至小依次为:Cd>Hg>Cu。水质监测结果显示,东江下游枯水期水质堪忧,Hg已超出地表水Ⅲ级水质标准。     

湖北鄂州城市湖泊底泥重金属空间分布特征与污染评价

以湖北省鄂州市某湖泊底泥重金属为研究对象,在调查和分析的基础上,采用地质累积指数和潜在生态危害指数对底泥中的重金属分布以及污染状况进行评价。结果表明:从柱状底泥纵向分布来看,该湖底泥重金属含量整体上呈现从上到下递减的变化趋势,上层底泥重金属含量最高;从空间分布上看,3个湖区重金属污染程度排序是西湖区域＞东湖区域＞中湖区域。地质累积指数评价结果显示该湖底泥重金属主要以无污染—中度污染为主,底泥中重金属污染程度的大小排序为Cd＞Zn＞Cu＞Pb＞Ni＞Cr＞Hg＞As;潜在生态危害指数法的评价结果显示底泥中As、Ni、Cu、Pb、Cr和Zn生态风险水平较低,Cd和Hg存在着不同程度的潜在生态风险,Cd的潜在生态风险最高。研究成果为该湖泊的污染调查和评价分析提供参考,并为湖泊后续的保护和水环境系统的可持续发展提供科学依据。     

Exploring the potential of membrane bioreactors to enhance metals removal from wastewater: pilot experiences.

The potential of membrane bioreactors to enhance the removal of selected metals from low loaded sewages has been explored. A 1400 litre pilot plant, equipped with an industrial submerged module of hollow fibre membranes, has been used in three different configurations: membrane bioreactor, operating in sequencing batch modality, for the treatment of real mixed municipal/industrial wastewater; membrane-assisted biosorption reactor, for the treatment of real leachate from municipal landfills; continuously fed membrane bioreactor, for the treatment of water charged with cadmium and nickel ions. The results show that: (a) in treating wastewaters with low levels of heavy metals (< one milligram per litre concentration), operating high sludge ages is not an effective strategy to significantly enhance the metals removal; (b) Hg and Cd are effectively removed already in conventional systems with gravitational final clarifiers, while Cu, Cr, Ni can rely on a additional performance in membrane bioreactors; (c) the further membrane effect is remarkable for Cu and Cr, while it is less significant for Ni. Basically, similar membrane effects recur in three different experimental applications that let us estimate the potential of membrane system to retain selected metal complexes. The future development of the research will investigate the relations between the membrane effect and the manipulable filtration parameters (i.e., permeate flux, solids content, filtration cycle).     

建筑垃圾骨料浸出重金属对环境影响研究

为了探究建筑垃圾骨料作为渗透性路面底基层替代材料的适用性,必须考虑建筑垃圾对地下水的污染问题。选取2种常见的建筑垃圾再生骨料:再生砖骨料(CB)和再生混凝土骨料(RCA),探究其浸出重金属浓度含量及其污染物的释放特征及规律,分析建筑垃圾试样配比、液固比、pH 值等因素对重金属浓度的影响。结果表明:在纯砖块条件下时,重金属Cd、Cu、Ni和Zn含量最小;在纯混凝土条件下时,重金属Cr和Pb含量最小。Cd和Zn的含量随着液固比的变化上下起伏不大,浸出浓度基本保持不变,可见Cd和Zn达到了溶解平衡;Cr和Pb的浸出率随着液固比的增加而增加,浸出量也在不断增加;Cu和Ni的浸出率随着液固比的增加而减小。Cd、Ni和Pb在不同pH值时的浸出浓度随时间变化趋势也基本相似,随着pH值的升高,Cd、Ni和Pb的平衡浓度降低;Cr的浸出浓度与pH值的增高呈正相关;Cu和Zn具有两性浸出,形成U形曲线,在极端的酸性和碱性pH值时浓度升高。建筑垃圾再生骨料浸出后的重金属浓度低于我国相关标准,可作为路面填料。     

北京市中心城河流表层沉积物重金属污染评价

为了解北京市中心城河流表层沉积物中重金属污染现状,采用地累积指数法、主成分分析法、潜在生态风险指数法评价和分析了沉积物中汞、砷、铅、铬、镉、锰、铜7种重金属的污染程度、污染来源及潜在生态风险。结果表明,重金属平均含量为Hg 0.670 mg/kg,As 6.01 mg/kg,Pb 31.1 mg/kg,Cr 63 mg/kg,Cd 0.29 mg/kg,Mn 277mg/kg,Cu 45mg/kg;平均地累积指数排序为Hg(1.49)Cr(0.34)Cu(0.24)Cd(0.14)Pb(-0.77)As(-1.41)Mn(-2.30),沉积物主要受Hg、Cr、Cu、Cd的污染,Hg处于中等污染程度,Cr、Cu、Cd处于轻度-中等污染程度,污染主要来源于三方面:交通、汽配(修)及供暖燃煤。重金属平均潜在生态风险系数排序为Hg(357)Cd(80)Cu(13)As(9)Pb(7)Cr(4)Mn(2),中心城沉积物潜在生态风险指数平均值为472,总体上具有较强生态危害。