Bioremediation of Heavy Metals Using Microbial Biomass

Abstract

Petrochemical industry and its catalytic processes have become major source of metal contamination into the environment. Many transition metal-based catalysts are being used in the processes and are washed into wastewater streams during regeneration and product purification stages. Cobalt (Co) and Manganese (Mn) are used as co-catalyst in the manufacture of pure-terephthalic acid (PTA), one of the major starting materials of polyethylene. During the purification of substantial amounts of Co and Mn enter into the wastewater stream and enters into the environment.

The present study is an attempt to remove the Co and Mn from aqueous stream using biosorption onto activated sludge from effluent treatment plants (ETP). The activated sludge is treated and used for biosorption of Co and Mn from real wastewater and various parameters like adsorbent dosage, contact time, pH was studied and optimum conditions were identified. Furthermore, to study the feasibility of scale up of the process, the activated sludge was immobilized into solid support and continuous column studies were performed. The bed depth service time studies showed the applicability of immobilized dried activated sludge as a potential biosorbent for removal of Co and Mn from wastewater.