BIOSORPTION OF LEAD (II) AND ZINC (II) IONS BY PRE-TREATED BIOMASS OF PHANEROCHAETE CHRYSOSPORIUM

Abstract

The biosorption of heavy metals can be an effective process for the removal of such metal ions from aq ueous solutions. In this study, the adsorption properties of nonlivi ng biomass of phanerochaete chrysosporium for Pb (II) and Zn (II) were investigated by the use of batch adsorption te chniques. The effects of initial metal ion concentr ation, initial pH, biosorbent concentration, stirring speed, temperatu re and contact time on the biosorption efficiency w ere studied. The experimental results indicated that the uptake capa city and adsorption yield of one the metal ion were reduced by the presence of the other one. The optimum pH was obtained as 6.0. The experimental adsorption data were f itted to both Langmuir and Frundlich adsorption models for Pb (II) and to the Langmuir model for Zn (II) ion. The hi ghest metals uptake values of 57 and 87 mg/g were calculated for Zn (II) and Pb (II) respectively. Desorption of he avy metal ions was performed by 50 mM HNO 3 solution. The results indicated that the biomass of phanerochaete chrysosporium is a suitable biosorbent for the removal of heavy metal ions from the aqueous solutions.