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Cadmium and lead impact on biological phosphorus removal : metal partition and adsorption evaluation in wastewater treatment processes

Quiroga-Flores, R. LU ; Alwmark, C. LU ; Hatti-Kaul, R. LU ; Önnby, L. LU and Tykesson, E. (2024) In International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology
Abstract

Understanding the effect and partition of metals in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can aid in designing processes to reduce metal emissions. This study focused on the effects of cadmium and lead, exposed alone (Cd or Pb) and in combination (Cd + Pb), on the enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) process at lab-scale. Parameters related to the metabolism of propionate, phosphorus (P), polyhydroxyalkanoates, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and enzyme activities were compared with those of a normal EBPR process. The effects induced by Cd included an incomplete uptake of propionate and poor P removal. Both Cd and Pb induced higher EPS production and altered the sludge settling properties; the effect of the former being... (More)

Understanding the effect and partition of metals in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can aid in designing processes to reduce metal emissions. This study focused on the effects of cadmium and lead, exposed alone (Cd or Pb) and in combination (Cd + Pb), on the enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) process at lab-scale. Parameters related to the metabolism of propionate, phosphorus (P), polyhydroxyalkanoates, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and enzyme activities were compared with those of a normal EBPR process. The effects induced by Cd included an incomplete uptake of propionate and poor P removal. Both Cd and Pb induced higher EPS production and altered the sludge settling properties; the effect of the former being more pronounced. Additionally, both Cd and Pb caused a lower content of phosphorus in the sludge but for different reasons. Cd affected the overall P removal by altering the P-uptake/release rates. Although Pb did not affect P removal, it formed P-containing complexes, likely resulting in less P available to the bacteria of the EBPR process. When present together, Cd and Pb exhibited synergistic effects. Regarding solubility, Cd remained soluble whereas Pb was mostly insoluble prior to starting the EBPR process. Consequently, Cd and Pb partitioned mainly to the effluent and sludge, respectively. To counteract this outcome, a treatment using adsorbents prior to the EBPR process was applied. However, as only soluble metals such as Cd can be effectively removed, only the effluent quality could be potentially improved. Stringent measures for metals such as Pb should be taken upstream WWTPs.

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author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
keywords
Adsorption, Cadmium, Lead, Metal partition, Phosphate accumulating organisms, Toxic effects
in
International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology
publisher
Center for Environmental and Energy Research and Studies
external identifiers
  • scopus:85195670648
ISSN
1735-1472
DOI
10.1007/s13762-024-05776-5
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
3df89cc5-de47-41d5-befa-ebd8a8789734
date added to LUP
2024-06-22 23:45:53
date last changed
2024-08-07 12:52:35
@article{3df89cc5-de47-41d5-befa-ebd8a8789734,
  abstract     = {{<p>Understanding the effect and partition of metals in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can aid in designing processes to reduce metal emissions. This study focused on the effects of cadmium and lead, exposed alone (Cd or Pb) and in combination (Cd + Pb), on the enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) process at lab-scale. Parameters related to the metabolism of propionate, phosphorus (P), polyhydroxyalkanoates, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and enzyme activities were compared with those of a normal EBPR process. The effects induced by Cd included an incomplete uptake of propionate and poor P removal. Both Cd and Pb induced higher EPS production and altered the sludge settling properties; the effect of the former being more pronounced. Additionally, both Cd and Pb caused a lower content of phosphorus in the sludge but for different reasons. Cd affected the overall P removal by altering the P-uptake/release rates. Although Pb did not affect P removal, it formed P-containing complexes, likely resulting in less P available to the bacteria of the EBPR process. When present together, Cd and Pb exhibited synergistic effects. Regarding solubility, Cd remained soluble whereas Pb was mostly insoluble prior to starting the EBPR process. Consequently, Cd and Pb partitioned mainly to the effluent and sludge, respectively. To counteract this outcome, a treatment using adsorbents prior to the EBPR process was applied. However, as only soluble metals such as Cd can be effectively removed, only the effluent quality could be potentially improved. Stringent measures for metals such as Pb should be taken upstream WWTPs.</p>}},
  author       = {{Quiroga-Flores, R. and Alwmark, C. and Hatti-Kaul, R. and Önnby, L. and Tykesson, E.}},
  issn         = {{1735-1472}},
  keywords     = {{Adsorption; Cadmium; Lead; Metal partition; Phosphate accumulating organisms; Toxic effects}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Center for Environmental and Energy Research and Studies}},
  series       = {{International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology}},
  title        = {{Cadmium and lead impact on biological phosphorus removal : metal partition and adsorption evaluation in wastewater treatment processes}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13762-024-05776-5}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/s13762-024-05776-5}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}