Continuous biotechnological treatment of cyanide contaminated waters by using a cyanide

Abstract

Various industries release a combination of free cyanide and cyanide complexes into the environment via a variety of disposal methods, particularly as wastewater. These industries utilise cyanide based compounds in various operations, including: the beneficiation of metals, electroplating, case hardening, automotive manufacturing, circuitry board manufacturing, and in chemical industries [23]. Cyanide is often found in organic, hydrocarbon chains or as inorganic, transition, alkali and alkali earth metal complexes [20]. Many cyanide complexes are highly unstable, thus temperature, pH and light can degrade the components to form free cyanide which is the most toxic form of cyanide [20, 26].