Abstract

The biosorption of eight different metals from aqueous solutions of combined industrial effluent by live or dead cells of Phanerochaete chrysosporium was investigated. Growth rate studies of P. chrysosporium were carried out in a selected medium as well as in the effluent. The specific growth rate of the fungus was in the range of 0.089–0.102 h–1 in the medium. The biosorption of metal ions increased as the initial concentration of metal ions increased in the medium. Biosorption equilibrium was established in about 1 h and the concentration of adsorbed metal ions did not change further with time. The equilibrium was well described by Langmuir, Freundlich and Reidlich – Peterson isotherms. The dead fungal biomass was more effective than living fungus for biosorption of metals. The optimum pH for the fungal growth was at 4.5 but enhanced Biosorption was at pH 6 for maximum reduction of hexavalent chromium to trivalent.

Recommended Citation

Pogaku, Ravindra and Kulkarni, Sripathi (2006) "Biosorption of Combined Industrial Effluents using Phanerochaete Chrysosporium," International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering: Vol. 4: A16.
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/ijcre/vol4/A16