Effect of EDTA on total dissolved copper concentration in textile effluents

The expected fate of copper in textile effluents has been examined in the c ontext of an activated sludge waste treatment scenario, using experimental rate constants and results from previous sorption studies. The effect of ED TA on total dissolved copper concentrations, in effluent streams during was te treatment, is discussed in terms of competitive sorption and sequestrati on kinetics. For this purpose, rate constants for the reaction of EDTA with five reactive dyes were estimated spectrophotometrically. The results of t hese experiments show that the use of excess sequestrant can dramatically i ncrease total dissolved copper concentrations in the effluent stream. (C) 2 001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.