Manganese and cobalt metals interrelations with ammonium performance in soil aquifer treatment

Faculty of Earth Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Management, University of Miskolc, Miskolc, Hungary

^* Corresponding author: a.kareem92@hotmail.com

Abstract

This study aimed to discover and explore the impacts and interactions of applying Mn²⁺ and Co²⁺ metals in NH₄ removal performance under nitrification conditions through soil aquifer treatment. A laboratory scale column was used to simulate the soil aquifer treatment system using quartz sand as packed media to infiltrate the synthetic wastewater mixture from 35 mg/L of NH₄, 60 mg/L Mn²⁺ and 40 mg/L of Co²⁺ concentrations. The experimental and linear regression model results demonstrate a significant relationship between NH₃-N concentration with Mn²⁺ and Co²⁺ concentration with a p-value < 0.05, indicating a substantial influence of Mn²⁺ and Co²⁺ presence on ammonium bioremediation. Co²⁺ has a negative correlation interaction with NH₃-N, which means Co²⁺ has increased ammonium oxidation by stimulating the degradation bacteria and cell growth to supplement and improve the activity of ammonium degradation bacteria. However, applying a high concentration of Mn²⁺ works as an inhibitor for NH₃-N bioremediation. Using a high concentration of Mn²⁺ negatively impacts bacteria, causing a toxic effect and decreasing the bacteria's degradability for ammonium.