Heavy Metal Distribution in Anaerobic Sludges

Abstract On the basis of a depuration system, by anaerobic processes, for wastewaters which contain variable amounts of copper, nickel, and zinc, a study is made of the distribution of these cations betwen the solid sludge and the supernatant liquid of the effluent. In all the experiments, amounts approximating 90% of the metals existing in the substrate were retained in the solid sludges, a very small amount of the metals remaining in the clear liquid of the effluent.