KVICKSILVERS FÖRDELNING MELLAN VATTEN OCH SLAM I TVÅ RENINGSVERK / The Distribution of Mercury between Aqueous Phase and Sludge Phase in two Sewage Treatment Plants
Direct determinations of the distribution of mercury between aqueous phase and sludge phase have not been made earlier. One reason might be the low concentration level of mercury, which is close to or below the detection limit for the analytical procedures in common use. The mercury concentration in the sludge phase is however much higher and offers no analytical problems. With the aid of a research laboratory, data from one sewage treatment plant are presented in this paper, showing that mercury in incoming sewage almost quantitatively is retained by the sludge phase. Thus, the concentration in the effluent water is very low, being less than 0.02 ìg/l. Further studies in another sewage treatment plant, using radioactive mercury-203, have confirmed these findings. The amount of mercury in a sewage treatment plant can be calculated accurately from the mass of the sludge and its mercury concentration. “Complete abstract not presented.”