Heavy Metals Removal from Water and Wastewater
Lavinia Lupa, Laura Cocheci
Abstract
The chapter summarizes the main treatment processes used for the removal of heavy metals from water and wastewater. Heavy metals present a recalcitrant and persistent character, a bioaccumulating ability in the environment, therefore their removal from water and wastewater represents a worldwide concern. This chapter reviews the recent advances and technical applicability of the methods that have been used to treat heavy metal-containing water. The discussed technologies include chemical precipitation, coagulation-flocculation, flotation, ion exchange, adsorption, membrane filtration, and electrochemical methods. The main advantages/disadvantages and limits of each method are evaluated. It was observed that even if are made a lot of research on each mentioned method in practice is still necessary for intensive work for each case. In all methods, there are things that could be improved; therefore, future studies must be focused on the development of cost-effective materials and methods that involve low treatment costs, high efficiency, and minimal impact on the environment.