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Ni(ll) biosorption by Rhizopus arrhizus Env 3: the study of important parameters in biomass biosorption
Author(s) -
Tahir Arifa,
Zahid Sidra
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of chemical technology and biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1097-4660
pISSN - 0268-2575
DOI - 10.1002/jctb.1972
Subject(s) - biosorption , rhizopus arrhizus , nickel , effluent , biomass (ecology) , chemistry , pellet , nuclear chemistry , adsorption , environmental chemistry , pulp and paper industry , materials science , environmental engineering , biology , environmental science , organic chemistry , sorption , lipase , agronomy , composite material , enzyme , engineering
BACKGROUND: The removal of toxic metals from wastewaters by biosorption, based on the metal‐binding capacities of various biological materials, has attracted much interest. However, the success of this approach depends on economic feasibility, which can be obtained by optimisation of the environmental conditions. In this study, Ni(II) biosorption experiments were carried out using a preformed biomass of Rhizopus arrhizus . A pure culture of previously isolated R. arrhizus Env 3 was used for maximum biosorption of nickel metal from nickel‐electroplating industrial effluent. RESULTS: Various environmental factors such as nickel concentration, pH, temperature, mycelial pellet weight, pretreatment of fungal biomass, dead and living fungal biomass and time course of biosorption by R. arrhizus Env 3 were optimised for maximum removal of nickel from the effluent. The maximum nickel removal rate of 618.5 mg g −1 was observed with living biomass at pH 8, temperature 35 °C, nickel concentration 500 mg L −1 , pellet size 3 g wet weight and shaker velocity 150 rpm. Maximum nickel biosorption was obtained after 72 h. CONCLUSION: Statistical analysis of different factors such as temperature, pH, mycelial pellet size, concentration of nickel in effluent and residual nickel level showed that all these factors had significant effects on the biosorption of nickel metal by R. arrhizus Env 3 from nickel‐electroplating industrial effluent. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry