Adsorption of Cr(VI) from Aqueous Solutions by <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> Biomass

Abstract

Abstract Staphylococcus aureus has not been used to remove Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solutions. In the present study, biosorption experiments for Cr(VI) were investigated using S. aureus biomass isolated from activated sludge, Lianyungang Dapu sewage treatment plant, China. The effects of solution pH, contact time reaction temperature and ionic strength on Cr(VI) uptake were studied. The biomass was characterized by energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The applicability of the Langmuir and Freundlich models was tested. The correlation coefficients ( R ) of both models were higher than 0.9. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 27.36 mg/g for Cr(VI) at 20°C. The adsorption process was quick and found to follow the pseudo‐second‐order equation. The optimum adsorption was achieved at pH 2. The adsorption was strongly dependent on NaCl concentrations as well as on reaction temperature. The S. aureus biomass could serve as adsorbent to remove Cr(VI) from industrial effluents.