Browsing by Author "Chirwa, E.M."

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    Microbial Removal of Pb(II) Using an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) Reactor
    (MDPI Catalysts, 2021-04-19) Chimhundi, J.; Hörstmann, C.; Chirwa, E.M.; Brink, H.G.
    The main objective of this study was to achieve the continuous biorecovery and bioreduction of Pb(II) using an industrially obtained consortia as a biocatalyst. An upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor was used in the treatment process. The bioremediation technique that was applied made use of a yeast extract as the microbial substrate and Pb(NO3)2 as the source of Pb(II). The UASB reactor exhibited removal efficiencies of between 90 and 100% for the inlet Pb concentrations from 80 to 2000 ppm and a maximum removal rate of 1948.4 mg/(L·d) was measured. XRD and XPS analyses of the precipitate revealed the presence of Pb0, PbO, PbS and PbSO4 . Supporting experimental work carried out included growth measurements, pH, oxidation–reduction potentials and nitrate levels.