Microbial removal of Pb(II) by an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor

Data obtained during continuous biological reduction of Pb(II) in an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor. The main objective of this study was to achieve the continuous biorecovery and bioreduction of Pb(II) using an industrially obtained consortia as a biocatalyst. An upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor was used in the treatment process. The bioremediation technique that was applied made use of a yeast extract as the microbial substrate and Pb(NO₃)₂ as the source of Pb(II). The UASB reactor exhibited removal efficiencies of between 90 and 100% for the inlet Pb concentrations from 80 to 2000 ppm and a maximum removal rate of 1948.4 mg/(L·d) was measured. XRD and XPS analyses of the precipitate revealed the presence of Pb⁰, PbO, PbS and PbSO₄. Supporting experimental work carried out included growth measurements, pH, oxidation–reduction potentials and nitrate levels.