Removal of Cadmium by Microorganisms in a Two-Stage Chemostat

A two-stage chemostat was used to study removal of cadmium by microorganisms in continuous culture. The medium was contaminated with 0.8 mg of Cd per liter. At 20°C, most of the microbial biomass formed aggregates which settled in the second stage of the chemostat. Effluent was free of bacteria. Up to 80% of the metal contained in the inlet flux was removed by the biomass, with 20% remaining in solution. At 10°C and with a shorter retention time, flocculation was poorer and metal removal by settling biomass did not exceed 35%.