Kinetic responses of activated sludge to individual and joint nickel (Ni(II)) and cobalt (Co(II)): An isobolographic approach

The effects of Ni(II) and Co(II) on the activated sludge growth rate have been assessed for a batch growth system, for a range of concentrations between 0 and 320 mg L(-1). The activated sludge was not acclimatized to the above metallic species, while a synthetic rich growth medium was used as substrate throughout out the experimental trials. Ni(II) and Co(II) have been found to stimulate microbial growth at concentrations approximately below 27 and 19 mg L(-1), with maximum stimulation concentrations 10 and 5 mg L(-1), respectively. The lethal concentrations (zero growth) for both species have been found to lie between 160 and 320 mg L(-1), with Co(II) identified as more potent growth inhibitor compared to Ni(II). The behaviour of activated sludge was also tested at the presence of three Ni(II) and Co(II) quotas, at various concentrations (75%Ni-25%Co (w/w), 50%Ni-50%Co (w/w) and 25%Ni-75%Co (w/w)). All the mixtures stimulated more drastically the activated sludge growth at relatively small concentrations, compared with the stimulation of equal concentrations of single species, whilst they also acted as more potent inhibitors at relatively high concentrations. Based on the isobole method, the data indicated that Ni(II) and Co(II) acted synergistically at the increasing stimulation and at the intoxication zones, whilst an antagonistic relation determined at the decreasing stimulation zone. Under the light of the present study, it is obvious that interactions (particularly synergism) between different metallic species should be taken into account in the methodologies used to establish criteria for tolerance levels in the environment.     

Effects of tri-valent (Cr(III)) and hexa-valent (Cr(VI)) chromium on the growth of activated sludge

The effects of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) species on the activated sludge growth rate have been assessed for a batch growth system, for a range of chromium concentration between 0 and 320 mg l(-1). Cr(VI) was found to stimulate microbial growth for concentrations up to about 25 mg l(-1), exhibiting maximum growth stimulation at 10 mg l(-1), whilst the lethal dose was found to be between 80 and 160 mg l(-1). On the other hand, Cr(III) was also found to stimulate microbial growth for concentrations up to about 15 mg l(-1), (with a maximum stimulation concentration at 10 mg l(-1)), whilst the lethal dose was found to lie between 160 and 320 mg l(-1). The results indicate that Cr(VI) is more toxic to biomass at relatively high concentrations (higher than 70 mg l(-1)) whilst it has a more pronounced growth stimulation effect at relatively smaller concentrations (less than 25 mg l(-1)), compared with Cr(III).     

Kinetic modeling and thermodynamic study to remove Pb(II), Cd(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) from aqueous solution using dead and living Azolla filiculoides

Dead Azolla filiculoides can remove Pb(2+),Cd(2+), Ni(2+) and Zn(2+) corresponding to second-order kinetic model. The maximum adsorption capacity (Q(max)) to remove these metal ions by the alkali and CaCl(2)/MgCl(2)/NaCl (2:1:1, molar ratio) activated Azolla from 283 to 313K was 1.431-1.272, 1.173-0.990, 1.365-1.198 and 1.291-0.981mmol/g dry biomass, respectively. Q(max) to remove these heavy metals by the non-activated Azolla at the mentioned temperature range was obtained 1.131-0.977, 1.092-0.921, 1.212-0.931 and 1.103-0.923mmol/g dry biomass, respectively. In order to remove these metal ions by the activated Azolla, the enthalpy change (DeltaH) was -4.403, -4.495, -4.557 and -4.365kcal/mol and the entropy change (DeltaS) was 2.290, 1.268, 1.745 and 1.006cal/molK, respectively. While, to remove these metal ions by the non-activated Azolla, DeltaH was -3.685, -3.766, -3.967 and -3.731kcal/mol and DeltaS was 2.440, 1.265, 1.036 and 0.933cal/molK, respectively. On the other hand, the living Azolla removed these heavy metals corresponding to first-order kinetic model. It was also shown that pH, temperature and photoperiod were effective both on the rate of Azolla growth and the rate of heavy metals uptake during 10 days. It was appeared the use of Ca(NO(3))(2) increased both Azolla growth rate and the rate of heavy metals uptake while the using KNO(3) although increased Azolla growth rate but decreased the rate of heavy metals uptake.     

Understanding biotoxicity for reusability of municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) ash

This feasibility study using Escherichia coli DH5alpha as a reporter microorganism tended to disclose toxicity ranking of various ashes of municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) in comparison with typical toxic chemicals for reusability in further applications. Previous study indicated that growth inhibition to bacterial cells occurred at concentrations above 0.156, 0.625 and 0.0195g/L for bottom ash (BA), cyclone ash (CA), scrubber ash (SA), respectively, suggesting the toxicity ranking of SA>BA>CA. This follow-up study clearly stated that compared to cadmium(II) and chromium(II) SA seemed to be the most toxic species to DH5alpha. Large amounts of supplemented lime (CaO) were used for neutralization of acid gas in incinerator, SA was thus contained high-levels of sulfate, chloride and nitrate salts. Therefore, compared to other ashes a marked increase in toxicity was observed in SA. Regarding soluble cations and anions in ashes, nitrite ion seemed to stimulate instead of repress cell growth. In contrast, nitrate ion showed so-called "sufficient challenge" characteristics for growth enhancement and inhibition at low and high concentration, respectively. Low solubility of metallic ions (e.g., Pb(II) and Cu(II)) in ashes likely resulted in low mobility in the environment and low risk to humans. The findings showed that toxicity attenuation of SA will be inevitably required as SA is even more toxic than Cr(II) and Cd(II).     

Removal of Cd(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II) from aqueous solutions by brown marine macro algae: kinetic modelling

Specific marine macro algae species abundant at the Portuguese coast (Laminaria hyperborea, Bifurcaria bifurcata, Sargassum muticum and Fucus spiralis) were shown to be effective for removing toxic metals (Cd(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II)) from aqueous solutions. The initial metal concentrations in solution were about 75-100 mg L(-1). The observed biosorption capacities for cadmium, zinc and lead ions were in the ranges of 23.9-39.5, 18.6-32.0 and 32.3-50.4 mg g(-1), respectively. Kinetic studies revealed that the metal uptake rate was rather fast, with 75% of the total amount occurring in the first 10 min for all algal species. Experimental data were well fitted by a pseudo-second order rate equation. The contribution of internal diffusion mechanism was significant only to the initial biosorption stage. Results indicate that all the studied macro algae species can provide an efficient and cost-effective technology for eliminating heavy metals from industrial effluents.     

Impact of beta-cypermethrin on soil microbial community associated with its bioavailability: a combined study by isothermal microcalorimetry and enzyme assay techniques

In this study, an isothermal microcalorimetric technique has been used to show that beta-cypermethrin (CYP) had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on soil microbial activity at 80 μg g(-1) soil. Our soil enzyme data indicated that beta-CYP ranging 10-80 μg g(-1) soil had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on soil enzyme activities such as β-glucosidase, urease, acid-phosphatase, and dehydrogenase. Therefore, our results infer that beta-CYP would not pose severe toxicity to soil microbial community, but its toxic level may vary greatly with environment that associates with its increase in bioavailability: the level in soil (at μg g(-1)) < the level in sediment (varying from μg g(-1) to μg L(-1)) 0.05). These results suggest that the heavy application of beta-CYP may not cause damage to soil microbial community which is very different from its high toxicity to the aquatic organism.     

Isotherm studies of lead(II), manganese(II), and cadmium(II) adsorption by Nigerian bentonite clay in single and multimetal solutions

This study was aimed at evaluating the isotherm of lead(II), manganese(II), and cadmium(II) adsorption in single and multimetal solutions using Nigerian bentonite. The natural and calcined clays were characterized for specific surface area, surface morphology, elemental composition, and cation exchange capacity (CEC). The adsorption data were analyzed and interpreted using isotherm models. The natural bentonite exhibits a specific surface area of 23.5?m²/g and a CEC value of 47.7 mEq/100?g and displays a higher adsorption capacity of all heavy metals in both single and multimetal solutions than the calcined bentonite. The removal of lead(II) by natural bentonite in single-component system is 0.0448?mmol/g. The order of selectivity is lead(II)?>?cadmium(II)?>?manganese(II). Result also shows that both clays demonstrate a preferable adsorption toward lead(II). Lead(II) adsorption is less affected by the presence of counter cations in multimetal solution. The adsorption of heavy metals onto Dijah-Monkin bentonite is site selective and site specific, and the adsorption data are well presented by the Langmuir model. The CEC could be the primary mechanism for the uptake of heavy metals, and the removal capacity was shown to depend on the ionic radius of metal ions.     

Accumulation of chromium and zinc from aqueous solutions using water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

Under present investigation Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) has been tested for removal of two important heavy metals chromium (Cr) and zinc (Zn) from metal solution. This species was grown at four concentrations of Cr and Zn, i.e. 1.0, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 mg l(-1) in single metal solution. This plant has performed extremely well in removing the Cr and Zn from their solution and was capable of removing up to 95% of zinc and 84% of chromium during 11 days incubation period. Removal of Cr at lower concentrations (1.0 and 5.0 mg l(-1)) was found harmless, without any symptom of toxicity but at 10.0 and 20.0 mg l(-1), plants have shown some morphological symptoms of toxicity. On the other hand E. crassipes removed Zn safely at all the four concentrations, i.e. 1.0, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 mg l(-1). In this case morphological symptoms of toxicity were not evident in the test plant. Biochemical parameters viz. protein, sugar and chlorophyll in experimental plants have shown a decreasing trend due to accumulation of Zn and Cr. Overall this methodology is safe for the removal of Zn and Cr and can be utilized at large scale after few further investigation.     

Pre-treatment processes of Azolla filiculoides to remove Pb(II), Cd(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) from aqueous solution in the batch and fixed-bed reactors

Intact and treated biomass can remove heavy metals from water and wastewater. This study examined the ability of the activated, semi-intact and inactivated Azolla filiculoides (a small water fern) to remove Pb(2+), Cd(2+), Ni(2+) and Zn(2+) from the aqueous solution. The maximum uptake capacities of these metal ions using the activated Azolla filiculoides by NaOH at pH 10.5 +/- 0.2 and then CaCl(2)/MgCl(2)/NaCl with total concentration of 2 M (2:1:1 mole ratio) in the separate batch reactors were obtained about 271, 111, 71 and 60 mg/g (dry Azolla), respectively. The obtained capacities of maximum adsorption for these kinds of the pre-treated Azolla in the fixed-bed reactors (N(o)) were also very close to the values obtained for the batch reactors (Q(max)). On the other hand, it was shown that HCl, CH(3)OH, C(2)H(5)OH, FeCl(2), SrCl(2), BaCl(2) and AlCl(3) in the pre-treatment processes decreased the ability of Azolla to remove the heavy metals in comparison to the semi-intact Azolla, considerably. The kinetic studies showed that the heavy metals uptake by the activated Azolla was done more rapid than those for the semi-intact Azolla.     

Inhibitory effect of heavy metals on methane-producing anaerobic granular sludge

Heavy metals could potentially have a negative impact on methane-producing anaerobic granular sludge. The objective of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of zinc(II), chromium(VI), nickel(II), and cadmium(II) on the methane-producing activity of granular sludge sampled from the upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor that treats the wastewaters of a yeast factory, for a range of concentrations between 0 and 128 mg L(-1). The modified Gompertz, Logistic, and Richards equations were applied to describe the inactivation of anaerobic culture by heavy metals. According to these models, the values of methane production potential (mL) for a heavy metal concentration of 128 mg L(-1) were in the following order: Ni (44.82+/-0.67)>Cd (28.73+/-0.11)>Cr (15.52+/-1.63)>Zn (0.65+/-0.00). The IC(50) values, the metal concentrations that cause a 50% reduction in the cumulative methane production over a fixed period of exposure time (24h), for the individual heavy metals were found to be in the following order: Zn (most toxic; 7.5 mg L(-1))>Cr (27 mg L(-1))>Ni (35 mg L(-1)) approximately Cd (least toxic; 36 mg L(-1)).     

Sorption behaviour of Co(II) and Cu(II) on chitosan in presence of nitrilotriacetic acid

Separation and isolation of radioactive cobalt ((60)Co), one of the main contributors towards the activity build up in nuclear reactors, is essential for radioactive waste volume reduction during nuclear reactor decontamination procedures. In this context, sorption of free and complexed Co(II), Cu(II) and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) on the biosorbent, chitosan was studied. A detailed investigation on the role of pH on sorption of Co(II), Cu(II) and NTA was done. Uptake capacities of the metal ions and NTA were measured within pH range of 2.0-7.0. At pH above 5, the NTA uptake capacities were found to be higher in presence of the metal ions than in their absence. Effect of NTA was found to be more pronounced on copper uptake than on cobalt uptake. Significant change in selectivity of chitosan towards metal ion uptake from NTA medium was observed with respect to change in pH. At pH 2.9, the uptake of cobalt was found to be more than that of copper, while the selectivity was reversed at pH 6.0. The respective selectivity coefficient (k(Co/Cu)) values were found to be 2.06 and 0.072.     

Comparison of Amberlite IR 120 and dolomite's performances for removal of heavy metals

The presence of heavy metals in the environment is major concern due to their toxicity. Contamination of heavy metals in water supplies has steadily increased over the last years as a result of over population and expansion of industrial activities. A strong cation-exchange resin, Amberlite IR 120 and a natural zeolite, dolomite were used for the removal of lead(II) and cadmium(II). The optimum conditions were determined in a batch system as concentration range was between 5 and 100 mg/L, pH range between 1 and 8, contact time between 5 and 90 min, and the amount of adsorbent was from 0.1 to 1g. A constant stirring speed, 2000 rpm, was chosen during all of the experiments. The optimum conditions were found to be a concentration of 20 mg/L, pH of 5, contact time of 60 min and 0.5 g of adsorbent. Also, for investigation of exchange equilibria different amounts of ion exchange resin and dolomite were contacted with a fixed volume and concentration of a heavy metal bearing solutions. Sorption data have been interpreted in terms of Langmuir and Freundlich equations. The effect of adsorption temperature on the heavy metals adsorption onto dolomite was investigated at three different temperatures (20, 40 and 60 degrees C). Thermodynamic parameters were calculated. The results obtained show that the Amberlite IR 120 strong cation-exchange resin and dolomite performed well for the removal of these heavy metals. As a low cost adsorbent, dolomite can preferable for removal of heavy metals from wastewaters.     

Sorption of Pb(II) on sodium polyacrylate modified bentonite

Bentonite is widely used in various anti-seepage systems in landfills and is often exposed to leachate that are strongly acidic and have high concentrations of heavy metals. However, natural bentonite cannot resist the damage caused by cations and adsorbs harmful substances from the liquid in the process of permeation simultaneously. In order to solve this obstacle problem, we investigate the sorption characteristics of previous sodium polyacrylate bentonite (SPB), which has the low permeability and chemical resistance. A series of batch sorption experiments were performed to evaluate the degree of influence of parameters (contact time, pH, temperature, and concentration of Pb(II)). The resultant SPB samples were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that negatively charged hydrophilic group (carboxyl group, -COOH) of sodium polyacrylate formed a directional arrangement and wrapped the layers of bentonite. This makes the polyacrylate sodium membrane to allow water to pass through easily and block the cations, thereby protecting bentonite from the cation exchange reaction. Compared with raw bentonite (RB), the sorption of Pb(II) of SPB was significantly improved in acid, and the maximum sorption capacity increased by about 20%, reaching 72.89 mmol/100 g. Thus, SPB is an ideal impermeable material to block the leachate and it exhibits low permeability, chemical resistance, and high adsorption for heavy metals.     

Membrane-based hybrid processes for high water recovery and selective inorganic pollutant separation

The removal of heavy metals (e.g. Pb(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), etc.) and oxyanions (e.g. nitrate, As(III, V), Cr(VI), etc.) is of immense interest for treatment of groundwater and other dilute aqueous systems. However, the presence of non-toxic components, such as hardness (Ca, Mg) and sulfate, can interfere with the separation of toxic species. For example, pressure-driven membrane processes, such as reverse osmosis (RO), have been limited for water treatment due to problems that these extraneous components cause with water recovery and ionic strength (osmotic pressure) of the retentate. In addition, nitrate rejection by RO is considerably lower than NaCl rejection, resulting in permeate concentrations that may be too high for groundwater recharging. Other separation systems that rely solely on sorption of toxic species (e.g. ion exchange resins) may not have sufficient selectivity for efficient use in the presence of competing ions. Hence, implementation of pressure-driven membrane separations and high capacity sorbents in hybrid processes shows much promise for remedying these difficulties. For example, selective separation of nitrate may be achieved by combining nanofiltration (NF) for sulfate removal, followed by RO or ion exchange for nitrate removal (see example 1). When small concentrations of toxic metals are present, the large retentate volumes of RO processes may be reduced by selective removal of toxic species with a high capacity sorbent, thus permitting disposal of a lower volume, non-toxic stream (see example 2). The use of microfiltration membrane-based sorbents containing multiple polymeric functional groups is a novel technique to achieve high metal sorption capacity under convective flow conditions. These sorbents are formed by the attachment of various polyamino acids (MW: 2500-10,000), such as polyaspartic acid (cation sorption), polyarginine (oxyanion sorption), and polycysteine (chelation exchange), directly on the membrane pore surfaces. Since these sorbents have also been found to have high selectivity over non-toxic metals, such as calcium, they are ideal candidates for hybrid processing with RO/NF.     

Competitive adsorption of copper(II), cadmium(II), lead(II) and zinc(II) onto basic oxygen furnace slag

Polluted and contaminated water can often contain more than one heavy metal species. It is possible that the behavior of a particular metal species in a solution system will be affected by the presence of other metals. In this study, we have investigated the adsorption of Cd(II), Cu(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) onto basic oxygen furnace slag (BOF slag) in single- and multi-element solution systems as a function of pH and concentration, in a background solution of 0.01M NaNO(3). In adsorption edge experiments, the pH was varied from 2.0 to 13.0 with total metal concentration 0.84mM in the single element system and 0.21mM each of Cd(II), Cu(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) in the multi-element system. The value of pH(50) (the pH at which 50% adsorption occurs) was found to follow the sequence Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd in single-element systems, but Pb>Cu>Zn>Cd in the multi-element system. Adsorption isotherms at pH 6.0 in the multi-element systems showed that there is competition among various metals for adsorption sites on BOF slag. The adsorption and potentiometric titrations data for various slag-metal systems were modeled using an extended constant-capacitance surface complexation model that assumed an ion-exchange process below pH 6.5 and the formation of inner-sphere surface complexes at higher pH. Inner-sphere complexation was more dominant for the Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) systems.     

Multi-component sorption of Pb(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) onto low-cost mineral adsorbent

Multi-component sorption studies were carried out for attenuation of divalent heavy metal cations (Pb2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+) by a low-cost mineral adsorbent from the aqueous solution. Kinetic and equilibrium batch-type sorption experiments were conducted under variable conditions for multi-component using low-grade (<12%P2O5) phosphate rock. Percentage of multiple heavy metal species removal increases with decreasing initial metals concentration and particle size. The equilibrium data were well described to a lesser extent by Freundlich model but Langmuir model seemed to be more appropriate with the fixation capacity obtained at room temperature for Pb2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ was 227.2, 769.2 and 666.6 micromol g(-1), respectively. Two simple kinetic models were tested to investigate the adsorption mechanism. Rate constants have been found nearly constant at all metal concentrations for first order. The comparison of adsorption capacity of low-grade phosphate rock decreases in multi-component system as compared to single component due to ionic interactions. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) technique was used to ascertain the formation of new metal phases followed by surface complexation. Used adsorbents have been converted into a value added product by utilizing innovative Zero-waste concept to solve the used adsorbents disposal problem and thus protecting the environment.     

Removal of Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions, from aqueous solutions, by adsorption onto sawdust of Pinus sylvestris

Fixation of heavy metal ions (Cd(II) and Pb(II)) onto sawdust of Pinus sylvestris is presented in this paper. Batch experiments were conducted to study the main parameters such as adsorbent concentration, initial adsorbate concentration, contact time, kinetic, pH solution, and stirring velocity on the sorption of Cd(II) and Pb(II) by sawdust of P. sylvestris. Kinetic aspects are studied in order to develop a model which can describe the process of adsorption on sawdust. The equilibrium of a solution between liquid and solid phases is described by Langmuir model. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) shows that the process is controlled by a porous diffusion with ion-exchange. The capacity of the metal ions to bind onto the biomass was 96% for Cd(II), and 98% for Pb(II). The sorption followed a pseudo-second-order kinetics. The adsorption of these heavy metals ions increased with the pH and reached a maximum at a 5.5 value. From these results, it can be concluded that the sawdust of P. sylvestris could be a good adsorbent for the metal ions coming from aqueous solutions. Moreover, this material could also be used for purification of water before rejection into the natural environment.     

Biosorption of copper(II) by nonliving lichen biomass of Cladonia rangiformis hoffm

Biosorption of heavy metals can be an effective process for the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. In this study, the adsorption properties of lichen biomass of Cladonia rangiformis hoffm. for copper(II) were investigated by using batch adsorption techniques. The effects of initial metal ion concentration, initial pH, biosorbent concentration, stirring speed and contact time on biosorption efficiency were studied. In the experiments the optimum pH value was found out 5.0 which was the native pH value of solution. The experimental adsorption data were fitted to the Langmuir adsorption model. The highest metal uptake was calculated from Langmuir isotherm and found to be 7.6923 mg Cu(II)/g inactivated lichen at 15 degrees C. The results indicated that the biomass of C. rangiformis is a suitable biosorbent for removing Cu(II) from aqueous solutions.     

The adsorption of Cd(II) ions on sulphuric acid-treated wheat bran

The adsorption of Cd(II) ions which is one of the most important toxic metals by using sulphuric acid-treated wheat bran (STWB) was investigated. The effects of solution pH and temperature, contact time and initial Cd(II) concentration on the adsorption yield were studied. The equilibrium time for the adsorption process was determined as 4 h. The adsorbent used in this study gave the highest adsorption capacity at around pH 5.4. At this pH, adsorption capacity for an initial Cd(II) ions concentration of 100 mg/L was found to be 43.1 mg/g at 25 degrees C for contact time of 4 h. The equilibrium data were analysed using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models to calculate isotherm constants. The maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) which is a Langmuir constant decreased from 101.0 to 62.5 mg/g with increasing temperature from 25 to 70 degrees C. Langmuir isotherm data were evaluated to determine the thermodynamic parameters for the adsorption process. The enthalpy change (deltaH(o)) for the process was found to be exothermic. The free energy change (deltaG(o)) showed that the process was feasible. The kinetic results indicated that the adsorption process of Cd(II) ions by STWB followed first-order rate expression and adsorption rate constant was calculated as 0.0081 l/min at 25 degrees C. It was observed that the desorption yield of Cd(II) was highly pH dependent.     

Application of accelerated carbonation with a combination of Na2CO3 and CO2 in cement-based solidification/stabilization of heavy metal-bearing sediment

The efficient remediation of heavy metal-bearing sediment has been one of top priorities of ecosystem protection. Cement-based solidification/stabilization (s/s) is an option for reducing the mobility of heavy metals in the sediment and the subsequent hazard for human beings and animals. This work uses sodium carbonate as an internal carbon source of accelerated carbonation and gaseous CO₂ as an external carbon source to overcome deleterious effects of heavy metals on strength development and improve the effectiveness of s/s of heavy metal-bearing sediment. In addition to the compressive strength and porosity measurements, leaching tests followed the Chinese solid waste extraction procedure for leaching toxicity – sulfuric acid and nitric acid method (HJ/T299-2007), German leaching procedure (DIN38414-S4) and US toxicity characteristic leaching procedures (TCLP) have been conducted. The experimental results indicated that the solidified sediment by accelerated carbonation was capable of reaching all performance criteria for the disposal at a Portland cement dosage of 10 wt.% and a solid/water ratio of 1:1. The concentrations of mercury and other heavy metals in the leachates were below 0.10 mg/L and 5 mg/L, respectively, complying with Chinese regulatory level (GB5085-2007). Compared to the hydration, accelerated carbonation improved the compressive strength of the solidified sediment by more than 100% and reduced leaching concentrations of heavy metals significantly. It is considered that accelerated carbonation technology with a combination of Na₂CO₃ and CO₂ may practically apply to cement-based s/s of heavy metal-bearing sediment.