Heavy metal removal by different water treatment plants, in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil

Abstract

The main aims of the present study were to determine the concentrations of Cu, Ni, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cd, Fe, Mn and Al in drinking water after conventional treatment as well as the efficiency of metal removal by the different water treatment plants (WTP) in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Suspended particles are the critical compartment in the heavy metal removal by the WTP. Results show that the treatment does not affect the metal concentration in the dissolved phase, except for Fe.