Study on Biological Removal of Cyanide from Artificial Sewage and Identify Resistant Microorganisms to Cyanide

One of the consequences of industrial activities is the entry of toxic compounds such as cyanide into the environment, the neglect of which threatens the health of humans and other living organisms. The present study was performed to investigate the biological removal of cyanide from wastewater and to identify resistant microorganisms.

Artificial sewage Potassium by concentrations of 5, 20, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/l was studied in batch reactors with a capacity of 2 liters. Secondary sludge of Wastewater Treatment Plant with mixed media was used as the medium in reactor. Volatile suspended solid, total suspended solid, CN, NH3, NO3 factors were measured based on the standard method book. Rotifers, ciliates and algae were also identified using microscopy version IIS.

The results showed that biological treatment can remove cyanide up to concentration of 150 ppm and higher initial MLVSS played a main role in increasing removal of cyanide from sewage. Finally, Pseudomonas cyanide, coliforms (except fecal coliforms), bacillus, fungi and also Carchesium (one of ciliates), Philodina (one of rotifers) and Oscillatoria (one of algae) identified as resistant strains to cyanide and Aspidisca, Proals and Ulothrix detected as the most sensitive rotifers, ciliates and algae, respectively.

Results indicated that biological treatment of activated sludge for cyanide removal from sewage is an efficient way specially when substrate include only resistant microorganisms and can be consider as viable alternative for cyanide removal instead of chemical removal methods.