The early warning of activated sludge inhibitory rate by Cu2 + ,Zn2 + was studied based on oxygen uptake rate
( OUR) index. When dosage of Cu2 + and Zn2 + increased from 20 mg /L to 60 mg /L, the OUR inhibitory rate increased from
33% and 38% up to 77% and 63%,respectively. With a rising of dosage of heavy metals,the activated sludge's inhibitory
rate measured by OUR index was enhanced. With a certain condition and common dosage of heavy metals ( 20 mg /L) ,the
OUR inhibitory rate order by four heavy metals was Cu2 + > Zn2 + > Cd2 + > Cr3 + . The operation parameters for early warning
reactor were optimized by single factor and orthogonal test,the results indicated that the best parameters were as follows:
ρ( MLSS) = 500 mg /L,HRT = 10 min. The early warning equipment was applied to simulate sewage added in Cu2 + and Zn2 +
respectively,which indicated that the OUR inhibitory rate was 22. 3% and 56. 6%,with common dosage of heavy metals
( 5 mg /L) . Thus,the early warning equipment based on oxygen uptake rate ( OUR) index can be applied to early warning of
the activated sludge inhibitory action by heavy metals in wastewater treatment plant.