Biosorption of mercury and lead by dried Aspergillus niger Tiegh. isolated from estuarine sediments

• Published in: International journal of environmental studies 2010-10, Vol.67 (5), p.735-746
• Main Authors: Nirmal Kumar, J.I., George, Basil, Kumar, Rita N., Sajish, P.R., Viyol, Shailendra
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Aspergillus niger; Biological and medical sciences; Biomass; Biosorption; Brackish water ecosystems; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Environmental studies; Estuarine environments; FTIR; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Heavy metals; Isotherm; Lead (metal); Mercury; Phosphates; Sediments; SEM-EDAX; Sorption; Surface chemistry; Synecology
• ISSN: 0020-7233; 1029-0400
• DOI: 10.1080/00207233.2010.517644

The sorption of Hg and Pb from mono-metal and bi-metal solution under different concentrations (20ppm-80ppm) was studied using dried Aspergillus niger biomass. The biosorption of Hg and Pb from the mono-metal solution was found to be much better than from the bi-metal solution. The maximum sorption of heavy metals was observed at pH 5-6 and at temperature 25°C-26°C. Biosorption of heavy metals from mono-metal and bi-metal solutions followed the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm. The role of different functional groups like amine, hydroxyl, carboxyl and the phosphate group was confirmed by FTIR. The adsorption of metal ions on the biomass surface and the possible ion exchange mechanism was confirmed using SEM-EDAX studies. A. niger can be used as a good biosorption agent for removing Hg and Pb from aqueous solution when present individually or in combination.