Effect of microwave radiation on immobilization of heavy metals in sediment sludge

In order to evaluate the effect of microwave radiation on immobilization of heavy metals (CU2+, Ct(6+), Zn2+ and Pb2+) in sediment sludge, leaching tests were run under different test conditions to compare microwave radiation with conventional blast heating and drying process for their effectiveness in immobilizing heavy metals within sediment sludge. Experimental results indicate that microwave radiation can decrease the concentration of heavy metals in leachate by 63% similar to 70% more than conventional blast heating and drying process in an actinic shake leaching test. Under the same simulated natural water conditions, the concentration of heavy metals in the leachate using microwave radiation is well below the concentration of heavy metals in leachate using conventional blast heating and drying process. It is therefore concluded that microwave radiation is much more effective than conventional blast heating and drying process in immobilizing heavy metals in sediment sludge.