Biosorption of Lead by Pleurotus florida and Trichoderma viride

Abstract

Aims: The objective of the work is to remove Pb by Pleurotus florida and Trichoderma viride in batch studies and to study the kinetics and adsorption isotherm of Pb adsorption by fungal species and to determine the desorption performance by suitable desorbing agents. Study Design: Experimental study. Place and duration of the study: This work was carried out at Department of Biotechnology, Government College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, and India for a period of five months. Methodology: The polluted sample was collected from Valankulam lake, Coimbatore. The biomass of Pleurotus florida and Trichoderma viride were used as adsorbents. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer was used to quantify Pb concentration. The optimum conditions of pH, adsorbent dose and contact time for biosorption were determined. Results: Maximum adsorption of Pb for Trichoderma viride and Pleurotus florida were observed at a pH of 6 and 7 respectively. The optimum quantities of adsorbent required for the removal of Pb were 0.2g for both the organisms. Adsorption of Pb was found to reach equilibrium in 1 h and 1.5 h for Pleurotus florida and Trichoderma viride respectively. Conclusion: Hence, Pleurotus florida and Tricoderma viride are suitable adsorbents for the removal of Pb from effluents. This methodology can be used for the removal of lead Research Article British Biotechnology Journal, 3(1): 66-78, 2013 67 from waste water before its disposal.