Enhanced bioremediation of heavy metal from effluent by sulfate-reducing bacteria with copper–iron bimetallic particles support

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of copper–iron bimetallic particles supported sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in enhancing the reduction of Cu2+ and Zn2+ in effluent. The results showed that the copper–iron bimetallic particles can enhance Cu2+ and Zn2+ removal and the resistance of the sulfate-reducing bacteria towards metals toxicity, the inhibiting concentration of Cu2+ and Zn2+ for SRB was significantly increased (from 100 to 200 mg/L for Cu2+ and 300 to 400 mg/L for Zn2+). The removal efficiencies of Cu2+ and Zn2+ (initial concentration 100 mg/L) were 98.17% and 99.67% in SRB–Cu/Fe system after 48 h, while only 29.83% Cu2+, 90.88% Zn2+ and 63.81% Cu2+, 72.63% Zn2+ were removed in the SRB and Cu/Fe system at the same condition.