The effects of Cd, Cd + Fe, and Cd + Ni on the thermophilic anaerobic fermentation of corn stover and cow manure were studied in pilot experiments by investigating the biogas properties, process stability, substrate biodegradation, and microbial properties. The results showed that the addition of Fe and Ni into the Cd-containing fermentation system induced higher cumulative biogas yields and NH4+-N concentrations compared with the only Cd-added group. Ni together with Cd improved and brought forward the peak daily biogas yields, and increased the CH4 contents to 80.76%. Taking the whole fermentation process into consideration, the promoting impact of the Cd + Ni group was mainly attributed to better process stability, a higher average NH4+-N concentration, and increased utilization of acetate. Adding Fe into the Cd-containing fermentation system increased the absolute abundance of Methanobrevibacter on the 13th day, and Methanobrevibacter and Methanobacterium were found to be positively correlated with the daily biogas yield. This research was expected to provide a basis for the reuse of biological wastes contaminated by heavy metals and a reference for further studies on the influence of compound heavy metals on anaerobic fermentation.
Keywords: anaerobic fermentation; biogas properties; compound heavy metals; microbial properties; process stability; substrate biodegradation.