This new book explains advanced and emerging technologies for removing heavy metals from wastestreams and contaminated sites. Separation processes of this type are critical for meeting stringent regulations of priority pollutants, especially arsenic, mercury, and lead, which the text treats in depth. After explaining the chemistry of heavy metals and their transport in various media, the work offers a comprehensive analysis of strategies for separating metals from groundwater, wastewater, contaminated soils, and industrial sludges.
Both the basics and the applications of techniques such as ion-exchange, specialized sorbents, novel membranes, advanced precipitates, and electrokinetic processes are presented with a view to current use and potential for future applications such as resource reuse. Information in this volume enables engineers and other investigators to adapt and select the best means to remove and, in certain instances, recover heavy metals.