Presence of Fe3+ and Zn2+ promoted biotransformation of Cd-citrate complex and removal of metals from solutions

The promotion to Cd-citrate complex biotransformation via addition of Fe3+ and Zn2+ was investigated. Single Fe(III)- or Zn-citrate complex was completely degraded by Pseudomonas sp. MBR, Cd-citrate complex was not. In the Cd-citrate media with molar ratio of 1:2 and 1:3, pH increase obtained from the metabolism of excess citrate slightly promoted the biotransformation of Cd-citrate complex, Cd remained in solutions. The presence of Fe3+ and Zn2+ resulted in complete biotransformation of Cd-citrate complex in the 1:1:2 Fe:Cd:citrate and Zn:Cd:citrate and 1:1:1:3 Fe:Zn:Cd:citrate media. Alkaline pH obtained from biotransformation of metal-citrate complexes caused almost complete removal of metals (>98%) through precipitation and co-precipitation. Pseudomonas sp. MBR potentially could be used to treat wastewater containing mixed citrate complexes of Fe(III), Zn and Cd.