Removal of Cr(VI) from Aqueous Solution by Acid Treated Fungal Biomass

Abstract

Biosorption of chromium (VI) ions from aqueous solution with fungal biomass Penicillium sp. was investigated in the batch system. The influence of contact time, solution pH, biosorbent concentration, initial concentration of Cr (VI) ions and temperature on biosorption capacity of Cr (VI) ions was studied. The uptake of Cr (VI) was highly pH dependent and the optimum pH for biosorption of Cr (VI) ions was found to be 2.0. Biosorption capacity of Cr (VI) ions decreased with increased biosorbent concentration and increased with increase in initial concentration of Cr (VI) ions. The experiment results also showed that high temperatures increased the biosorption capacity of Cr (VI) by fungal biomass. It was found that the biosorption equilibrium data were fitted very well to the kangmuir as well as to the Freundlich adsorption model. The maximum sorptive capacities obtained from the Langmuir equation at temperature of 20, 30 and 40°C were 25.91, 32.68 and 35.97 mg/g for Cr (VI) ions, respectively. The results of this study indicated that the fungal biomass of Penicillium sp. is a promising biosorbent for removal of chromium (VI) ions from the water.