Adsorption of thorium(IV) from aqueous solution by non-living biomass of mangrove endophytic fungus Fusarium sp. #ZZF51

Abstract

The adsorption of thorium(IV) from aqueous solution by mangrove endophytic fungus Fusarium sp. #ZZF51 is studied by using a batch experiments. The parameters that affect the thorium(IV) sorption, such as solution pH, initial thorium(IV) concentration, contact time, and biomass dose, are discussed in detail. The maximum biosorption of thorium(IV) and the equilibrium sorption capacity are found to be 91 ± 1 % and 11.35 mg g−1 respectively at pH 3.0, contact time 20 min, initial thorium(IV) concentration 50 mg L−1 and non-living biomass dose 4.0 g L−1. Kinetics data follow the pseudo-second-order model and equilibrium data agree with the Temkin isotherm model very well. FT-IR analysis indicates that hydroxyl and carbonyl groups play an important role in the biosorption process.