Effect of cadmium on the performance of partial nitrification using sequencing batch reactor

Partial nitrification (PN) in sequencing batch reactors (SBR) was investigated in the presence of cadmium to simulate treatment of landfill leachate containing heavy metals. Different pH conditions were investigated in the SBR to determine the optimum pH to establish PN, which was 7.5. After successful establishment of the PN process, different concentrations of cadmium (Cd) were added into the SBR to evaluate the heavy metal influence on the PN process. The results showed that PN activities were not affected by low concentrations of Cd (