RESUMO
Copper-iron bimetallic particles were prepared by chemical precipitation technique. Under the help of the particles Cr(VI)-containing wastewater was well treated by a consortium of sulfate reducing bacteria, which were enriched from industrial wastewater and acclimatized to tolerant to high concentrations of Cr(VI). SRB-Cu/Fe system, traditional SRB system and Cu/Fe system were experimented in the batch bioreactor, respectively. It is demonstrated that SRB-Cu/Fe bimetallic system perform much better than traditional SRB system or copper-iron bimetallic. The acclimation period of SRB was significantly reduced and the inhibiting concentration of Cr(VI) of SRB was also greatly increased by approximately 200% (from 100 mg x L(-1) to 300 mg x L(-1)). Under the conditions of Cr(VI) 300 mg x L(-1), Q(Cu)/Fe 7.5%, pH 5.0-8.0, the concentration of total chromium was less than 0.512 mg/L, Cr(VI) less than 0.071 mg, Cu next to zero after 48 h treatment. Having biological, chemical advantages and high efficiency, the novel SRB-Cu/Fe system should have the broad application prospects in industrial wastewater.
