The effect of configuration of activated sludge systems on heavy metal toxicity was investigated. Two bench-scale completely mixed activated sludge systems were operated identically in order to determine the toxic effects of Cr(VI), Zn(II) and industrial wastewater on the activated sludge biomass. One system was operated with an aerobic selector and the other without. Batch experiments based on OECD 209 (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) were performed using a respirometer to find out potential toxicity reduction effect of an aerobic selector. The IC 50 (concentration of a chemical that exhibits 50% respiration inhibition) values of Cr(VI), Zn(II) and industrial wastewater in the activated sludge were determined. Results indicated that the heavy metals and industrial wastewater caused less inhibitory effect on the selector activated sludge system in comparison to the conventional activated sludge system. Cr(VI) was found to exert higher inhibition on both systems.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.