General Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book presents a general overview of this dissertation, including background, problem description, research objectives and thesis structure. It provides a literature review on the importance of Selenium (Se) and available technologies for the remediation of Se-laden wastewaters. The book investigates the effect of NO₃^- and SO₄^2- on SeO₄^2- bioreduction in batch tests. It focuses on the comparison and evaluation of treatment processes for Se-laden wastewaters with co-contaminants. The book compares microbial aggregates (i.e. attached biofilm and suspended biofilm using granular sludge) grown in different reactor configurations for removing SeO₄^2- with SO₄^2- and Ni^2+. It evaluates the feasibility of treating slightly acidic influent with NO₃^-, SO₄^2- and SeO₄^2- using a laboratory- scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor inoculated with anaerobic granular sludge.