Description:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>It has been reported in the literature that several microbial species have a considerable sorption capacity for heavy metals. Work herein reported, accomplished using a heterogeneous microbial population developed in a modified extended aeration activated sludge process, indicates sorption capabilities as good as, or better than, those for individual microbial species. The process herein described may have several advantages over pure or controlled culture processes and it offers the possibility for reuse of organic matter needed to regenerate metal‐sorbing biomass, as well as autodigestion of excess biomass. The work also indicates that acclimation to high levels of a specific heavy metal (Cd) does not confer acclimation to another heavy metal (Cu).</jats:p>