Metal Ion Effect on BOD Exertion at Different Temperatures

Abstract

The toxic effect of metal ions like chromium (Cr³⁺), cobalt (Co²⁺), nickel (Ni²⁺), copper (Cu²⁺), cadmium (Cd²⁺) and lead (Pb²⁺) on biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of synthetic wastewater samples has been studied at different temperatures i.e., 15°C, 20°C, 25°C and 30°C. Experiments were conducted for BOD exertion in presence (10 ppm of each metal ion) and in the absence of metal ions at different temperatures. Transition metal ions like Cr³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Cu²⁺ show an increase in relative percentage inhibition with increasing atomic number. BOD inhibition in presence of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ is relatively large. The metal ions under study are found to be highly toxic to microbes.

Introduction

Since both the aerobic biological treatment process and BOD measuring technique (using dilution method) are based on the same principle, the presence of metals like copper, zinc, lead and other heavy metals will have an influence on both processes. Because of the limited solubility of oxygen in the aqueous medium in BOD bottle, the effect of heavy metals will be sufficiently large as compared to that in the treatment plant because the effluent in the treatment plant gets a regular supply of oxygen from continuous aeration.

Trace quantities of heavy metals such as nickel, manganese, lead, chromium, cadmium, zinc, copper, ferrous and mercury are common constituents of most wastewaters. Some of these metals are necessary for growth of biological life and the absence of sufficient quantities of them could limit growth of algae. However, the presence of any of these metals in excessive quantities will interfere with many beneficial uses of water because of their toxicity. Nriagu [1] reported the effects of Hg, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb on algae photosynthesis in the lakes. Zn and Cd inhibited the photosynthetic activity strongly in summer.

Very little work is available in literature on the effect of temperature on heavy metal toxicity to BOD. Apparently, BOD is expected to increase with the increase in temperature of incubation because of the loss of dissolved oxygen from the medium of heavy metal ions. It will be quite interesting to see the effect on BOD particularly with an increase in temperature

It has been reported that BOD₅ is suppressed significantly by even small concentrations (1-2 mg/L) of copper or chromium. Stone [2] measured the percentage of suppression caused by 1 mg/L of selected heavy metals on the BOD of domestic sewage. Gray [3] found that 6 mg/L mercury chloride, 40 mg/L of copper sulphate or 30 mg/L of potassium dichromate were required to completely inhibit bacterial activity on a sample of glucose. Mayo [4] studied the effect of temperature and pH on the growth of micro organisms and has defined the optimum temperature and pH as those at which the growth rate of micro organisms is the highest.

According to another study by Mittal and Ratra [5], the presence of metal ions like Al, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Hg in the effluent samples significantly affects BOD values. Metal ion addition results in the inhibition as well as increase in BOD, depending on its concentration.

The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of heavy metal ions on BOD when the temperature of the medium is varied in the ambient temperature range. The reported work may have more relevance for common effluent treatment plants, and municipal wastes that contain both inorganic and organic effluents.

Materials and Methods

The ambient temperature range (15^oC-30^oC with an incremental change of 5^oC) was selected for the study, as a variety of microbes responsible for BOD exertion are optimally active in this temperature range. Experiments were conducted at selected temperatures of incubation to measure BOD in the absence and in the presence of some heavy metal ions. Five–day BOD (BOD₅) measurements were used as assessment end points.

Sampling and Storage

Samples were prepared synthetically in the laboratory and stored in the refrigerator at 4°C. At the time of conducting the experiment, samples were first brought at the room temperature.

Apparatus

Incubation bottles (300 mL capacity) were washed, rinsed thoroughly with distilled water and drained before use. As a precaution against drawing air in the dilution bottle during incubation, a water seal was used. To reduce evaporation of water from the seal, during incubation placed an aluminium foil cap over flared mouth of the bottle. Four BOD incubators thermostatically controlled at 15^oC, 20^oC, 25^oC and 30^oC (± 0.1^oC) were used for the tests.

Reagents

All reagents were prepared as per procedures given in Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste [6].

Procedure

Preparation of Dilution Water

A desired volume of distilled/deionised water was put in a suitable container, and 1 mL/litre of each of the phosphate buffer, MgSO₄, CaCl₂ and FeCl₃ solutions were added to the seeded dilution water, as described in following paragraph. Dilution water was brought to room temperature before use, and saturated with dissolved oxygen by shaking for 15 minutes.

Seeding

A compatible seed from treatment plant of a local milk plant, Sirhind Road, Patiala was collected. The seed was taken from a corner of aeration tank and immediate before the settling tank. The effluent water (seed) was aerated and then allowed to settle. The supernatant liquid was then used as a “seed” for the BOD test. 1 mL of seed per litre of dilution water was added in nutritioned dilution water.

Seed Control

BOD of seeding material was measured and dilutions were made so that its DO uptake comes between 0.6 to 1.25 mg/L.

Preparation of Synthetic Waste Sample

Synthetic waste sample was prepared from raw milk (Verka, Standard Shakti) in the laboratory. Synthetic sample was preferred to the actual waste samples from industrial effluents because the work is of relative nature and effect of toxicity was to be observed. Because industrial sample may contain matter other than organic material such as detergents, heavy metals, chemicals and other foreign materials, which may interfere along with the toxic metals under test. Raw milk has BOD about 70,000 to 100,000 mg/L and was diluted so that its BOD comes in the range of 700-1000 mg/L. For that 5 mL of raw milk was added in about 500 mL distilled water and diluted further to make it one litre.

Preparation of Metal Ion Solutions

Metal ions selected for study were chromium, cobalt, nickel, copper, cadmium and lead. Appropriate amounts of their salts were dissolved in distilled water and dilutions were done to prepare a 1000-ppm stock solution of each metal ion.

Estimation of BOD

BOD₅ measurement was done in presence of each one of all the six metal ions taken for the present study. Based on our previous study (Mittal and Ratra, 2000) a concentration of 10 mg/L was selected. For each metal concentration, three replicas were taken and the mean was used for subsequent calculations.

1.5mL (1: 200) sample was taken in each bottle (300 mL capacity) so that the BOD lies between 700-1000 mg/L. Therefore, maximum expected DO depletion would have been between 3.5 to 5.0 mg/L. As the saturated DO in summer days is usually around 7.0 mg/L, a minimum of 1-2 mg/L of DO would have remained in the test solution even in case of maximum depletion, which is an essential norm for the BOD test.

All the bottles were filled carefully with seeded dilution water to the top of the brim. Water was not allowed to overflow as it would disturb the concentration of metal ions in bottle. Initial DO of first bottle of each set was taken and remaining three were capped, water sealed and incubated for five days at 15^oC, 20^oC, 25^oC and 30^oC in BOD incubators. After five days incubation, final DO of samples was determined.

Estimation of Dissolved Oxygen

Initial and final DO values were determined by titration method. Alsterberg modification of Wrinkler’s method was adopted. Percentage of inhibition in BOD values (due to toxicity of metal ions) were calculated for each metal ion at different temperatures, and are shown in Table 1.

Table 1. BOD Inhibition as a function of temperature in presence of different metal ions

Temperature (°C)	Percentage inhibition in BOD exertion by metal ions
	Cr3+	Co2+	Ni2+	Cu2+	Cd2+	Pb2+
15	22.0	37.9	38.5	20.4	40.1	48.1
20	51.6	41.9	40.9	43.6	46.1	54.6
25	64.1	56.4	50.2	59.1	65.7	74.9
30	59.5	53.9	45.8	50.1	60.9	56.6

Table 1. BOD Inhibition as a function of temperature in presence of different metal ions

Temperature (°C)	Percentage inhibition in BOD exertion by metal ions
	Cr3+	Co2+	Ni2+	Cu2+	Cd2+	Pb2+
15	22.0	37.9	38.5	20.4	40.1	48.1
20	51.6	41.9	40.9	43.6	46.1	54.6
25	64.1	56.4	50.2	59.1	65.7	74.9
30	59.5	53.9	45.8	50.1	60.9	56.6

Statistical Analysis of the Data

A number of measurements were carried out for each experiment of BOD. The results are reported in Table 2 and the standard deviations for each measurement are given. Mean BOD value in presence of a given metal ion is subtracted from the mean BOD without the metal ion to calculate the inhibition. Histograms of the BOD without metal ion as well as those in presence of metal ion are plotted. Error bars for each histogram represent the standard deviation in the BOD values. Inhibitions in BOD due to the presence of metal ion are shown in the figure as separate columns. No error bars can be given for BOD inhibition as the results are the differences in mean BOD values.

Results and Discussion

BOD exertion is affected by factors like temperature, availability of organic matter as food [7], seed [8,9], and pH of the medium [10]. Present study is undertaken to study the effect of some heavy metal ions like Cr³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ on BOD at different temperatures, i.e., 15°C, 20°C, 25°C and 30°C. Experiments were conducted for BOD exertion in presence of 10 ppm of each metal ion. This concentration was selected on the basis of our previous study [5] where an appreciable change in BOD was recorded due to the presence of 10ppm of the metal ion concentration. BOD₅ was determined in the absence as well as in the presence of the metal ions.

All metal ions are found to inhibit the BOD (Table 1). Absolute values of BOD in presence of metal ions are compared with those in the absence of metal ions at different temperatures and are shown in Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4. These Figures also show inhibition in BOD in the presence of metal ions at a given temperature. Relative percentage inhibition increases with increase in temperature (Table 1) up to 25°C and further up to 30°C it tends to decrease, probably because of the relatively large increase in BOD exertion for the blank system from 25°C to 30°C (an increase of ~400mg/L as compared to ~100mg/L and ~140mg/L for temperatures 15°C to 20°C and 20°C to 25°C, respectively).

In all the metal ions, relative percentage inhibition is more at 25°C than at all other temperatures. Lead is found to be the most toxic element at all temperatures. Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ show relatively larger inhibition than that of transition elements. It shows that transition metals as well as Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ are highly toxic to microbes.

Table 2 shows that BOD in the absence of any metal ion increases from 857±15 mg/L at 15°C to 970±26 mg/L at 20°C. This increase of 100mg/L is relatively less as compared to the increases of ~150 and ~400mg/L for the increase in temperatures from 20°C to 25°C and 25°C to 30°C, respectively. This is due to the reason that upto 20°C, population of the nitrifying bacteria is not enough to contribute appreciably to the normal BOD₅ exertion, but at 25°C and 30°C nitrogenous BOD adds up to the normal BOD. There are primarily two reasons for the increase in BOD from 15°C to 30°C;

• Depletion of dissolved oxygen (mg/L) with increase in temperature. Solubility of oxygen in water at 760 mm of mercury pressure and 100% relative humidity are: 10.07 (15°C), 9.08 (20°C), 8.27 (25°C) and 7.59 (30°C).
• Due to the toxic behaviour of metal ions towards microbes (metal ions complexing with microbial cells) resulting in a lower demand of dissolved oxygen.

A peer look into Table 1 shows that the relative percentage inhibition increases almost linearly with increase in temperature up to 25°C in the presence of each metal ion. It indicates that the metal microbe complex is stabilized with increase in temperature up to 25°C. For most of the metals, except copper, the relative percentage inhibition lies between 40% and 60%. Presence of lead in the BOD bottle leads to an exceptionally large inhibition with very little dependence on temperature.

The recorded inhibition at 30° C is besides the effect of nitrifying bacteria. In their absence the inhibition would have been still larger. These bacteria are known to be most active in a temperature range 30°C - 40°C.

Table 2. BOD exertion as a function of temperature in presence of different metal ions

Temperature (°C)

BOD without metal ion (mg/L)

BOD exertion in presence of metal ions, mg/L

Chromium

Cobalt

Nickel

Copper

Cadmium

Lead

(a)

(b)

(a-b)

(c)

(a-c)

(d)

(a-d)

(e)

(a-e)

(f)

(a-f)

(g)

(a-g)

15

857 ± 15

677 ± 25

180

532±13

325

527±15

330

682±13

175

513±15

343

445±5

412

20

970 ± 26

470 ± 26

500

563±15

407

573±15

397

547±8

423

523±10

447

440±5

530

25

1123 ± 25

403 ± 15

720

490±10

633

560±10

563

460±10

663

385±5

738

282±8

842

30

1480 ± 20

600 ± 15

880

682±20

798

802±18

698

738±8

742

578±8

902

642±37

838

Table 2. BOD exertion as a function of temperature in presence of different metal ions

Temperature (°C)

BOD without metal ion (mg/L)

BOD exertion in presence of metal ions, mg/L

Chromium

Cobalt

Nickel

Copper

Cadmium

Lead

(a)

(b)

(a-b)

(c)

(a-c)

(d)

(a-d)

(e)

(a-e)

(f)

(a-f)

(g)

(a-g)

15

857 ± 15

677 ± 25

180

532±13

325

527±15

330

682±13

175

513±15

343

445±5

412

20

970 ± 26

470 ± 26

500

563±15

407

573±15

397

547±8

423

523±10

447

440±5

530

25

1123 ± 25

403 ± 15

720

490±10

633

560±10

563

460±10

663

385±5

738

282±8

842

30

1480 ± 20

600 ± 15

880

682±20

798

802±18

698

738±8

742

578±8

902

642±37

838

Figure 1. Histogram of BOD in presence of metal ions at 15⁰C

Figure 1. Histogram of BOD in presence of metal ions at 15⁰C

Figure 2. Histogram of BOD in presence of metal ions at 20⁰C

Figure 2. Histogram of BOD in presence of metal ions at 20⁰C

Figure 3. Histogram of BOD in presence of metal ions at 25⁰C

Figure 3. Histogram of BOD in presence of metal ions at 25⁰C

Figure 4. Histogram of BOD in presence of metal ions at 30⁰C

Figure 4. Histogram of BOD in presence of metal ions at 30⁰C

Conclusions

Measurements of BOD can be influenced by the temperature of the solution by acting on properties of substances present like microbes, metal ions in the sample. Complexation phenomenons are strongly dependent on temperature. It is therefore recommended that BOD be measured for different temperature values.