In this study, a complex bacterial consortium was enriched from a typical Pb-Zn mine area and immobilized by sodium alginate to form biospheres, which were used for treatment of selenite (Se(IV))- and cadmium (Cd(II))-containing wastewater without external carbon source. Batch experiments showed that the maximum Se(IV) removal efficiency was 92.36% under the optimal conditions of an initial pH of 5, dosage of 5g/L, initial Se(IV) concentration of 7.9mg/L and reaction time of 168h. Subsequently, more than 99% of 11.2mg/L Cd(II) was removed by the biospheres within 10h. Physicochemical character...
