Biological Treatment of Aluminium Recycling Industry Wastewater

Aluminium, one of 3A class metal, is categorized as a dangerous substance for the environment by USEPA. It can be found in the form of mineral or bonded compound with 3+ valence. The bonded compound of aluminium is usually found in nature because of the pollution by certain industries. Aluminum pollution is currently become a concern in Indonesia since the increasing in the number of aluminium recycling industry. Liquid waste from these industries is usually disposed directly into the water body without going through any form of treatment. Material impurities are also openly buried on the ground around the industry. Aluminium ion in water can potentially harm the environment because of its toxic effect to water biota, lessening the land fertility, and the disruption to organism enzymatic activity. To reduce the concentration of aluminium in wastewater, a biological treatment can be applied before discharging to water bodies. Biological treatment using indigenous bacteria isolated from the polluted environment is seen to be effective to treat aluminium contamination.