Abstract
This work examined the removal of heavy metals in a system consisting of ultrafiltration (UF) or microfiltration (MF) membranes combined with sludge and minerals. The metals under examination were Ni(II), Cu(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II), while the system performance was investigated with respect to several operating parameters. Metal removal was achieved through various processes including chemical precipitation, biosorption, adsorption, ion exchange, and finally retention of the metals by the membranes. The pH had a profound effect on metal removal, as the alkaline environment favored the metal removal process. The use of sludge resulted in increased levels of metal uptake which was further enhanced with the addition of minerals. The metal removal mechanisms depended on the pH, the metal, and mineral type. The combined sludge–mineral–UF system could effectively remove metal ions at an alkaline environment (pH = 8), meeting the US EPA recommended long-term reuse limits of lead and copper and the short-term reuse limits of nickel and zinc for irrigation purposes, provided that specific mineral dosages were added.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abollino, O., Aceto, M., Malandrino, M., Sarzanini, C., & Mentasti, E. (2003). Adsorption of heavy metals on Na-montmorillonite. Effect of pH and organic substances. Water Research, 37, 1619–1627.
Ahluwalia, S. S., & Goyal, D. (2007). Microbial and plant derived biomass for removal of heavy metals from wastewater. Bioresource Technology, 98, 2243–2257.
Alvarez-Ayuso, E., & Garcia-Sanchez, A. (2003). Removal of heavy metals from waste waters by vermiculites. Environmental Technology, 24, 615–625.
APHA (1998). Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, Water Pollution Control Federation, 20th ed. Washington, DC.
Beliles, R. P. (1978). The lesser metals. In: Oehme, F. W., Marcel Dekker (Eds), Toxicity of heavy metals in the environment, Part 2. pp. 547–616. New York.
Bhatti, H. N., Khalid, R., & Hanif, M. A. (2009). Dynamic biosorption of Zn(II) and Cu(II) using pretreated Rosa gruss an teplitz (red rose) distillation sludge. Chemical Engineering Journal, 148, 434–443.
Castaldi, P., Santona, L., Enzo, S., & Melis, P. (2008). Sorption processes and XRD analysis of a natural zeolite exchanged with Pb2+, Cd2+ and Zn2+ cations. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 156, 428–434.
Friis, N., & Keith, P. M. (1998). Biosorption of uranium and lead by Streptomyces longwoodensis. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 28, 21–28.
Holan, Z. R., & Volesky, B. (1995). Accumulation of cadmium, lead, and nickel by fungal and wood biosorbents. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 53, 133–146.
Ijagbemi, C. O., Baek, M.-H., & Kim, D.-S. (2009). Montmorillonite surface properties and sorption characteristics for heavy metal removal from aqueous solutions. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 166, 538–546.
Lopez, A., Lazaro, N., Priego, J. M., & Marques, A. M. (2000). Effect of pH on the biosorption of nickel and other heavy metals by Pseudomonas fluorescens 4F39. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology, 24, 146–151.
Malamis, S., Katsou, E., Chazilias, D., & Loizidou, M. (2009). Investigation of Cr(III) removal from wastewater with the use of MBR combined with low-cost additives. Journal of Membrane Science, 333, 12–19.
Malandrino, M., Abollino, O., Giacomino, A., Aceto, M., & Mentasti, E. (2006). Adsorption of heavy metals on vermiculite: Influence of pH and organic ligands. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 299, 537–546.
Malkoc, E. (2006). Ni(II) removal from aqueous solutions using cone biomass of Thuja orientalis. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 137, 899–908.
Nasir, M. H., Nadeem, R., Akhtar, K., Hanif, M. A., & Khalid, A. M. (2007). Efficacy of modified distillation sludge of rose (Rosa centifolia) petals for lead(II) and zinc(II) removal from aqueous solutions. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 147, 1006–1014.
O’Connell, D. W., Birkinshaw, C., & O’Dwyer, T. F. (2008). Heavy metal adsorbents prepared from the modification of cellulose: A review. Bioresource Technology, 99, 6709–6724.
Prasad, M. N. V., & Freitas, H. (2000). Removal of toxic metals from solution by leaf, stem and root phytomass of Quercus ilex L. (holly oak). Environmental Pollution, 110, 277–283.
Saeed, A., Iqbal, M., & Akhtar, M. W. (2005). Removal and recovery of lead(II) from single and multimetal (Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn) solutions by crop milling waste (black gram husk). Journal of Hazardous Materials, 117, 65–73.
Turner, D. R., Pabalan, R. T., & Bartehi, F. P. (1998). Neptunium (V) sorption on montmorillonite: An experimental and surface complexation modelling study. Clays and Clay Minerals, 46, 256–269.
US EPA (2004) Guidelines for Water Reuse. EPA/625/R-04/108, U.S Agency for Inter Development, Washington, DC, USA.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Malamis, S., Katsou, E. & Haralambous, K.J. Study of Ni(II), Cu(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) Removal Using Sludge and Minerals Followed by MF/UF. Water Air Soil Pollut 218, 81–92 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-010-0625-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-010-0625-4