Influence of the element mercury (Hg) in the biological production of H2 from leachate

• Grant number: 13/16399-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): September 01, 2013
• Effective date (End): May 21, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Márcia Andreia Mesquita Silva da Veiga
• Grantee: Jéssica Kassabian de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The leachate from landfills has a high content of organic matter also containing toxic metals in their constitution, for example, mercury. The presence of these metals is due to improper disposal of plastics, batteries, mercury lamps, among others. However, the slurry can be used for organic production of H2 (substitute fossil fuels) contributing to the reduction of air pollution. This project aims to relate the presence of the element mercury with the production of bio-hydrogen. The determination of this metal will be carried out by atomic absorption spectrometry, and monitoring the production of H2 by GC (gas chromatography). (AU)