Mycoremediation of Cu(II) and Ni(II)

Abstract

In the present study, Cu(II) and Ni(II) removal capacity of two filamentous fungi namely, Aspergillus niger van. Tieghem and Rhizopus arrhizus Fischer was evaluated through batch adsorption assays. Batch sorption experiments were performed at 30°C, pH 5.0 and 150 rpm taking biomass amount of 0.2 g. Adsorption trials were carried out as function of initial metal ion concentration within range of 100 to 500 mg/L -1 for both single and binary metal solutions. Results revealed the biosorption capacity of both fungal species significantly increased as the initial concentration of metal ions was raised in the medium. Whereas, adsorption capacity of fungal species significantly decline in binary metal in comparison with single metal solution, desorption and reusability of the biosorbents biomass demonstrated a significantly higher desorption capability of R. arrhizus (> 65%) as compared to A. niger (> 60%) for both metal ions after 4th adsorption/desorption cycle. Batch experiments conducted with real industrial effluents reveled 5 to 10% reduction in sorption potential of test fungi in comparison to capacity obtained with synthetic solution of metal ions.