Abstract
The indiscriminate use of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in consumer products may enhance its release into the environment. Thus, the possible build-up of the nanoparticles in the environment is obvious. The present study was focused on the adsorption and removal of Ag NPs from aqueous solution by Ag NP resistant bacterial species Bacillus pumilus. The rate of adsorption decreased with increase in pH and salt (NaCl) concentrations. The influence of surface charge on adsorption and removal of Ag NPs by bacterial species was investigated. The electrostatic force of attraction favors the adsorption of Ag NPs onto bacterial cell surface. 1×107CFU/mL of B. pumilus cells were able to remove 3.9 and 3.5mg/L of Ag NPs at pH 5 and 7 respectively. Very low adsorption was observed at pH 9. The adsorption equilibrium isotherms fitted well to Langmuir model. The kinetics of adsorption fitted best to pseudo-first-order. The present study suggests that the transport of nanomaterials in the environment would limit by the adsorption of these particles on bacterial cells surface.
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