Role of Fungi in the Removal of Heavy Metals and Dyes from Wastewater by Biosorption Processes

Abstract

Contaminations of heavy metals and dyes are a global concern due to their higher toxicity and carcinogenicity. Removal of heavy metals and dyes from aqueous solution by adsorption is a promising technology. Biological methods have advantages over chemical methods. Fungus serves as a biosorbent due to its high metal and dye adsorption capacities. A number of functional groups on the surface of the fungal biosorbent pay a key role in the adsorption of heavy metals and dyes. The beneficial effects of immobilized fungi are based on the fact that high concentrations of the fungi may imply high volumetric productivities. The immobilized fungus is easy to be separated from other components in the reaction mixture, simplifying downstream processing, and more importantly, it can then be used repeatedly and continuously. For getting better success rates in the wastewater treatment, it is important to understand the biosorption mechanisms undertaken by fungi during the bioremediation process. Different kinds of adsorption kinetics and equilibrium models are reviewed in relation to fungus. Fungi-based bioreactor recently was found to be effective in the treatment of wastewater by following continuous mode of action and easy upscaling of the biodegradation process. Various types of fungal pellet bioreactors have been recommended for wastewater treatment. This chapter highlights the application of fungi in the removal of heavy metals and dyes from wastewater through biosorption processes.