Research of technologies for the extraction of heavy metals from industrial wastewater

Abstract

The presence of heavy metals in the environment is mainly associated with anthropogenic human activity. These are ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, heavy industry, energy. Due to air pollution, heavy metals enter the soil and water.
The first place among the polluters of the environment with heavy metals is electroplating industry, where two categories of effluents are formed: spent concentrated effluent sanddiluted washing waters. In reservoirs, heavy metals have the ability to accumulate in the bottom sediments and thus are a source of second air pollution. They are not capable of biodegradation, but are able to accumulate in system components, causing a toxic effect on the animal world, humans and microorganisms. Different heavy metals affect the environment and biota in different ways. They can cause malfunction of the kidneys, liver, pancreas, accumulate in various organs and bones, causing their dysfunction. The greatest danger is heavy metals – chromium, nickel, cadmium, zinc. Their persistence, toxicity, ability to bio accumulate and migrate through trophic chains pose a danger to the existence of hydrobionts, animals and, above all, human health. The authors offer technologies for cleaning wastewater from heavy metals: reagent technologies, bacterial purification technologies, as well as phytotechnologies. Proposed sewage treatment plants for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater. The pollution of surface water sources, human health and living organisms will depend on the reliable extraction of heavy metals from spent galvanic effluents.