Method for removal of recalcitrant selenium species from wastewater

Abstract

Methods and systems for reducing the concentration of selenium species in water, particularly water containing recalcitrant selenium species. In the methods and systems, water containing one or more selenium species is treated with permanganate to provide permanganate-treated water, which is then contacted with a zero-valent iron treatment system comprising (a) a reactive solid comprising zero-valent iron and one or more iron oxide minerals in contact therewith and (b) ferrous iron.