Abstract
Discharge of metals into the environment generates significant impact upon human health and biological cycles. Some microorganisms such as fungi are known for their high metal adsorption capacity. The aim of this work was to evaluate the capacity for Penicillium sp. molds in the removal of Pb, Cd, and Hg from aqueous solutions by isolating the fungal strain from an artisanal gold mine soil. The biosorption experiments showed that optimum conditions for metal removal were noted at 150 min, acidic pH (4–5), 60 °C, and 2 g of biomass. The accomplished removal was 92.4% for Pb, 80% for Cd, and 99.6% for Hg, at a concentration of 51.5 mg/L. Kinetic analyses and isotherms best fit the pseudo–second-order and Langmüir models, respectively. Infrared spectra show functional groups (–OH, –NH, C-N, C-H, N-H, and C=O) that play an essential role in the adsorption of Pb, Hg, and Cd on fungal biomass.
Highlights
Increasing industrial activity is responsible in great part for the principal problems of environmental contamination and damage to ecosystems, generating accumulation of toxic contaminants such as the metals Cr, Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, Ni, and Hg (Pino et al, 2006; Dhir, 2014) and causing damage to human health
Bioremediation by using microorganisms is an approach in which toxic contaminants can be removed from mediums such as soil and sediment of water (Rani et al, 2021); studies have been published regarding the possible use of Penicillium sp. mold as a potential bio-adsorbent of metals, as it shows extraordinary extracellular adsorption capacity (Fan et al, 2008)
A potential metal biosorbent of the fungal type of the Penicillium sp. genus was isolated from mine soils highly contaminated by metals
Summary
Increasing industrial activity is responsible in great part for the principal problems of environmental contamination and damage to ecosystems, generating accumulation of toxic contaminants such as the metals Cr, Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, Ni, and Hg (Pino et al, 2006; Dhir, 2014) and causing damage to human health. Pb is one of the most toxic metals, causing anemia, encephalopathy, hepatitis, and nephritic syndrome (Deng et al, 2006; Ji et al, 2012). The focus of study of adsorption of metals has been inclined toward natural materials available in vast quantities (Agarwal et al, 2006; Srivastav et al, 2021). Mold as a potential bio-adsorbent of metals, as it shows extraordinary extracellular adsorption capacity (Fan et al, 2008) Bioremediation by using microorganisms is an approach in which toxic contaminants can be removed from mediums such as soil and sediment of water (Rani et al, 2021); studies have been published regarding the possible use of Penicillium sp. mold as a potential bio-adsorbent of metals, as it shows extraordinary extracellular adsorption capacity (Fan et al, 2008)
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