Inhibition and recovery in a fixed microbial film leachate treatment system subject to shock loading of copper and zinc.

Abstract

The impacts of shock loadings of copper and zinc (up to 50 mg l(-1)) on the treatment efficiency of a mesoscale-fixed microbial film landfill leachate treatment system were investigated. Treatment inhibition and recovery were monitored in sequence over two 36 h experimental runs. The fate of added metals was also investigated. Copper, and to a lesser extent zinc, added to the treatment systems accumulated on the biofilm media. Increasing copper inputs (>10 mg l(-1)) progressively inhibited biological treatment of ammoniacal-nitrogen and carbon; this inhibition persisted into the recovery phase for nitrogen but not for carbon. Only the highest input of zinc affected media metal contents and carbon treatment rates; the latter inhibitory effect did not persist into the recovery phase. A small proportion of the metals accumulated on the biofilm media during the inhibition phase was released into the bulk leachate during the recovery experiment. These findings suggest a need to manage metal inputs into leachate treatment systems in order to ensure their continued efficacy.

• Authors: John Scullion, Michael Winson, Richard Matthews
• Journal: Water research (Water Res) Vol. 41 Issue 18 Pg. 4129-38 (Oct 2007) ISSN: 0043-1354 [Print] England
• PMID: 17624394 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Water Pollutants, Chemical
• Copper
• Zinc

Topics

• Biofilms
• Copper (chemistry)
• Environmental Restoration and Remediation (methods)
• Water Microbiology
• Water Pollutants, Chemical (chemistry)
• Zinc (chemistry)