Evaluation of the mobility of heavy metals in the sediments originating from the post-galvanic wastewater treatment processes

The article presents the assessment of heavy metals mobility in sediments from the process of galvanic wastewater treatment (pH 2.5, Co 1.5 mg/L, Cr(6+) < 0.02 mg/L, Cr((total)) 62 mg/L, Cu 110 mg/L, Ni 129 mg/L and Pb 59 mg/L) based on the use of hydroxides (Ca(OH)(2), NaOH) as well as inorganic and organic sulphur compounds (Na(2)S, sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate (DMDTC), sodium trithiocarbonate (Na(2)CS(3)), trimercapto-s-triazine trisodium salt, TMT). The leachability was assessed after 1, 7, 14 and 21 days of sediment contact with the leaching agent (deionized water). FeCl(3) was used as a coagulant. The efficiency of metal removal changed within a range of 99.67–99.94% (for NaOH), 98.80–99.75% (for TMT), 99.67–99.92% (for DMDTC), 99.67–99.91 (for Na(2)CS(3)). The heavy metal content in the obtained precipitates changed within the following ranges: 0.1–0.2 g/kg (Co), 9.8–14.7 g/kg (Cr), 23.6–39.8 g/kg (Cu) 30.5–43.2 g/kg (Ni), 24.3–33.1 g/kg (Pb) and 12.2–18.7 g/kg (Cd). The leachability tests revealed the release of 34–37% of Cd, 6.4–7.5% of Ni and 0.06–0.07% of Cu after using an excess of Na(2)CS(3) as the precipitant. The use of NaOH resulted in the release of 0.42–0.46% of Cr from the sediment, and the use of TMT 0.03–0.34% of Ni. The best immobilization of heavy metals was observed in the case of the precipitate resulting from the use of DMDTC as a precipitating agent. The findings may be useful for predicting the mobility of heavy metals in the sludge and assessing the risk involved so as to support their removal and management.