Biosorption Of Heavy Metals Research Articles

Recent Trends in Microbial Biosorption of Heavy Metals: A Review

Due to exponential expansion of human population and in turn, incessant intensification in industrialization, heavy metal pollution has become ubiquitous from air to deep soil. There are many bioremediation technologies including biosorption process to decontaminate the heavy metal polluted sites. Currently, the exploitation of microbial biosorption of heavy metals is considered a reliable alternative over the conventional bioremediation approaches. Fundamentally, biosorption is the chemical or physical interaction between biosorbent (solid phase e.g. biomass) and chemical species (e.g. heavy metals) in liquid phase. Application of microorganisms (specifically bacteria, algae, yeasts and fungi) as biosorbents for heavy metal removal have received growing interest due to the high surface to volume ratio, large availability, rapid kinetics of adsorption and desorption and little cost. The present review highlights the underlying features of biosorption, recent updates in mechanisms and selection of biosorbents and various factors affecting biosorption.

Efficiency of pre-treated Moringa oleifera for the removal of Cd2+ and Zn2+ ions from wastewaters

Increased human activities have led to a rise in environmental pollution. Conventional methods of wastewater treatment are costly and sometimes not efficient. Use of Moringa oleifera has been promoted as a cost effective method. Its use as a biosorbent for sequestration of Zn and Cd for both single and mixed systems was investigated. The results show that metal uptake increased with contact time, based on a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:100 with maximum adsorption occurring at pH 4. However, metal biosorption decreased drastically with increasing pH and Zn2+ ions were more efficiently biosorbed than Cd2+. The data fitted into both the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms and Moringa treated with KMnO4 further enhanced heavy metal biosorption by offering better properties.

Biosorption of Heavy Metals in Leachate Derived from Gold Mine Tailings Using Aspergillus fumigatus

AbstractLeachate derived from bioleaching process contains high amount of metals that must be removed before discharging the water. Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated from a gold mine tailings and its ability to remove of As, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn from aqueous solutions and leachate of bioleaching processes was assessed. Batch sorption experiments were carried out to characterize the capability of fungal biomass (FB) and iron coated fungal biomass (ICFB) to remove metal ions in single and multi‐solute systems. The maximum sorption capacity of FB for As(III), As(V), Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn were 11.2, 8.57, 94.33, 53.47, 43.66, and 70.4 mg/g, respectively, at pH 6. For ICFB, these values were 88.5, 81.3, 98.03, 66.2, 50.25, and 74.07 mg/g. Results showed that only ICFB was found to be more effective in removing metal ions from the leachate. The amount of adsorbed metals from the leachate was 2.88, 21.20, 1.91, 0.1, and 0.08 mg/g for As, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Pb, respectively. The FT‐IR analysis showed involvement of the functional groups of the FB in the metal ions sorption. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that surface morphological changed following metal ions adsorption. The study showed that the indigenous fungus A. fumigatus was able to remove As, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn from the leachate of gold mine tailings and therefore the potential for removing metal ions from metal‐bearing leachate.

Biosorption of heavy metals by Bacillus thuringiensis strain OSM29 originating from industrial effluent contaminated north Indian soil

The study was navigated to examine the metal biosorbing ability of bacterial strain OSM29 recovered from rhizosphere of cauliflower grown in soil irrigated consistently with industrial effluents. The metal tolerant bacterial strain OSM29 was identified as Bacillus thuringiensis following 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. In the presence of the varying concentrations (25–150mgl−1) of heavy metals, such as cadmium, chromium, copper, lead and nickel, the B. thuringiensis strain OSM29 showed an obvious metal removing potential. The effect of certain physico-chemical factors such as pH, initial metal concentration, and contact time on biosorption was also assessed. The optimum pH for nickel and chromium removal was 7, while for cadmium, copper and lead, it was 6. The optimal contact time was 30min. for each metal at 32±2°C by strain OSM29. The biosorption capacity of the strain OSM29 for the metallic ions was highest for Ni (94%) which was followed by Cu (91.8%), while the lowest sorption by bacterial biomass was recorded for Cd (87%) at 25mgl−1 initial metal ion concentration. The regression coefficients obtained for heavy metals from the Freundlich and Langmuir models were significant. The surface chemical functional groups of B. thuringiensis biomass identified by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) were amino, carboxyl, hydroxyl, and carbonyl groups, which may be involved in the biosorption of heavy metals. The biosorption ability of B. thuringiensis OSM29 varied with metals and was pH and metal concentration dependent. The biosorption of each metal was fairly rapid which could be an advantage for large scale treatment of contaminated sites.

A Review of Biosorption of Chromium Ions by Microorganisms

Due to its widespread industrial use, chromium has become a serious pollutant in diverse environmental settings. The main source of chromium pollution including the Republic o Moldova is industry. It is a great need to develop new eco-friendly methods of chromium removal. Biosorption of heavy metals is a most promising technology involved in the removal of toxic metals from industrial waste streams and natural waters. This article is an extended abstract of a communication presented at the Conference Ecological Chemistry 2012.

Biosorption of Heavy Metal Ions (Cu2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, and Fe3+) from Aqueous Solutions Using Activated Sludge: Comparison of Aerobic Activated Sludge with Anaerobic Activated Sludge

The potential of using two different kinds of air drying of activated sludge (aerobic activated sludge and anaerobic activated sludge) for the removal of Cu(2+), Mn(2+), Zn(2+), and Fe(3+) from aqueous solutions was assessed. Results indicated that the maximum biosorption occurred at pH = 5.0 for Cu(2+), Zn(2+), and Mn(2+) and pH = 3.0 for Fe(3+). The kinetic parameters of biosorption data were found to be best fitted to the second-order equation. Also, it was found that the best dosage for biosorption was 0.2g for both aerobic activated sludge and anaerobic activated sludge. The experimental results were fitted well to the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherms. The maximum biosorption capacities of Cu(2+), Mn(2+), Zn(2+), and Fe(3+) for aerobic activated sludge were 65.789, 44.843, 64.935, and 75.756mg/g, respectively, while they were 59.880, 49.020, 62.500, and 69.444mg/g for anaerobic activated sludge, respectively. The mean free energy values evaluated from the D-R model indicated that the biosorptions of studied heavy metal ions onto activated sludge were taken place by chemical interaction. The results of this study provided valuable information on the biosorption of heavy metals by activated sludge that may contribute in wastewater treatment.

Biosorption of heavy metals in a photo-rotating biological contactor—a batch process study

Metal removal potential of indigenous mining microorganisms from acid mine drainage (AMD) has been well recognised in situ at mine sites. However, their removal capacity requires to be investigated for AMD treatment. In the reported study, the capacity of an indigenous AMD microbial consortium dominated with Klebsormidium sp., immobilised in a photo-rotating biological contactor (PRBC), was investigated for removing various elements from a multi-ion synthetic AMD. The synthetic AMD was composed of major (Cu, Mn, Mg, Zn, Ca, Na, Ni) and trace elements (Fe, Al, Cr, Co, Se, Ag, Mo) at initial concentrations of 2 to 100 mg/L and 0.005 to 1 mg/L, respectively. The PRBC was operated for two 7-day batch periods under pH conditions of 3 and 5. The maximum removal was observed after 3 and 6 days at pH 3 and 5, respectively. Daily water analysis data demonstrated the ability of the algal-microbial biofilm to remove an overall average of 25-40 % of the major elements at pH 3 in the order of Na > Cu > Ca > Mg > Mn > Ni > Zn, whereas a higher removal (35-50 %) was observed at pH 5 in the order of Cu > Mn > Mg > Ca > Ni > Zn > Na. The removal efficiency of the system for trace elements varied extensively between 3 and 80 % at the both pH conditions. The batch data results demonstrated the ability for indigenous AMD algal-microbial biofilm for removing a variety of elements from AMD in a PRBC. The work presents the potential for further development and scale-up to use PBRC inoculated with AMD microorganisms at mine sites for first or secondary AMD treatment.

Magnetotactic bacteria: promising biosorbents for heavy metals

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB), which can orient and migrate along a magnetic line of force due to intracellular nanosized magnetosomes, have been a subject of research in the medical field, in dating environmental changes, and in environmental remediation. This paper reviews the recent development of MTB as biosorbents for heavy metals. Ultrastructures and taxis of MTB are investigated. Adsorptions in systems of unitary and binary ions are highlighted, as well as adsorption conditions (temperature, pH value, biomass concentration, and pretreatments). The separation and desorption of MTB in magnetic separators are also discussed. A green method to produce metal nanoparticles is provided, and an energy-efficient way to recover precious metals is put forward during biosorption.

Study of physical chemistry on biosorption of zinc by using Chlorella pyrenoidosa

Discharge of heavy metals from metal processing industries is known to have adverse effects on the environment. Biosorption of heavy metals by metabolically inactive biomass of microbial organisms is an innovative and alternative technology for removal of these pollutants from aqueous solution. Presence of heavy metals in the aquatic system is posing serious problems. Zinc has been used in many industries and removal of Zn ions from waste water is significant. Biosorption is one of the economic methods used for removal of heavy metals. In the present study, the biomass obtained from the dried Chlorella pyrenoidosa was used for evaluating the biosorption characteristics of Zn ions in aqueous solutions. Batch adsorption experiments were performed with this material and it was found that the amount of metal ions adsorbed increased with the increase in the initial metal ion concentration. In this study effect of agitation time, initial metal ion concentration, temperature, pH and biomass dosage were studied. Maximum metal uptake (qmax) observed at pH 5 was 101.11 mg/g. The biosorption followed both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm model. The adsorption equilibrium was reached in about 1 h. The kinetic of biosorption followed the second-border rate. The biomass could be regenerated using 0.1 M HNO3. A positive value of ΔH° indicated the endothermic nature of the process. A negative value of the free energy (ΔG°) indicated the spontaneous nature of the adsorption process. A positive value of ΔS° showed increased randomness at solid-liquid interface during the adsorption of heavy metals, it also suggests some structural changes in the adsorbate and the adsorbent. FTIR Spectrums of Chlorella pyrenoidosa revealed the presence of hydroxyl, amino, carboxylic and carbonyl groups. The scanning electron micrograph clearly revealed the surface texture and morphology of the biosorbent.

Special issue on the Asian Congress on Biotechnology 2011

The Asian Congress on Biotechnology 2011 (ACB-2011), was held on May 12, 2011 in Shanghai. The theme forACB-2011is“Biotechnology forBetterLife”.ACB-2011 aimstoprovide aforum forbiotechnologistsand biochemicalengineers from Asia and other regions of the world, in which people could exchange ideas and findings inbiotechnology research and development, share the experiences in advancing biotechnological development orbusiness adventure, and then enhance further research and business cooperation.In light of this tenet, this special issue contains 17 research papers selected from several countries of Asia Pacificincluding China, Russia, America, Japan, Indonesia, India, Malaysia and Thailand.Our world is facing various challenges including environmental deterioration, energy crisis, shortage of naturalresources, and imbalances in social and economic development. Life sciences and biochemical engineering areexpected to play an important role in addressing those problems to meet the remaining and emerging needs of oursociety.This special issue covers a wide range of the hottest research topics in biochemical science and bioengineering,involving in selective breeding strains for amino acid production, biological pretreatment, clean renewable energymining, heavy metal biosorption and treatment and novel biosensor exploitation based on immunology etc. Thesecntting-edge research works, which although do not cover the full scope of studies in biochemical science andbioengineering due to page limitations, can still provide readers with brief track references to facilitate thedevelopment of new technologies in these fields.During the organizing of this special issue, we got invaluable help from many scientists. They provided carefulpeer-reviews on the selected papers with many useful comments and suggestions, which help to enhance thequality of the papers for authors. Without the help of these peer-reviewers, this special issue is not possible to bepublished.Finally,astheGuestEditor,Iwouldliketotakethisopportunitytoexpressmyhighappreciatetoallofthepeople—all the authors and co-authors and reviewers, for their contributions and consistent support to this special issue.Bang-Ce YE, Ph.D, Professor, Deputy Director of State Key Laboratory of BioreactorEngineering, East China University of Science and Technology. His research interestsconcentrate in analytical biotechnology and systems biotechnology. He has published over50 papers in peer-reviewed international journals, such as Angewandte Chemie InternationalEdition, Journal of the American Chemical Society,the Proceedings of the National Academy ofSciences of the United States of America, Chemical Communications, Analytical Chemistry,Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

Sustainable Sources of Biomass for Bioremediation of Heavy Metals in Waste Water Derived from Coal-Fired Power Generation

Biosorption of heavy metals using dried algal biomass has been extensively described but rarely implemented. We contend this is because available algal biomass is a valuable product with a ready market. Therefore, we considered an alternative and practical approach to algal bioremediation in which algae were cultured directly in the waste water stream. We cultured three species of algae with and without nutrient addition in water that was contaminated with heavy metals from an Ash Dam associated with coal-fired power generation and tested metal uptake and bioremediation potential. All species achieved high concentrations of heavy metals (to 8% dry mass). Two key elements, V and As, reached concentrations in the biomass of 1543 mg.kg−1 DW and 137 mg.kg−1 DW. Growth rates were reduced by more than half in neat Ash Dam water than when nutrients were supplied in excess. Growth rate and bioconcentration were positively correlated for most elements, but some elements (e.g. Cd, Zn) were concentrated more when growth rates were lower, indicating the potential to tailor bioremediation depending on the pollutant. The cosmopolitan nature of the macroalgae studied, and their ability to grow and concentrate a suite of heavy metals from industrial wastes, highlights a clear benefit in the practical application of waste water bioremediation.

Tolerance and Biosorption of Heavy Metals by Cupriavidus metallidurans strain XXKD-1 Isolated from a Subsurface Laneway in the Qixiashan Pb-Zn Sulfide Minery in Eastern China

The heavy metal-resistant bacterial strain Cupriavidus metallidurans XXKD-1, was isolated from a 475 m subsurface laneway in the Qixiashan Pb-Zn mine, near Nanjing City in eastern China. The phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence shows that the microorgamism has 99% similarity to C. metallidurans CH34. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of metals for the bacterium were determined. The bacterial strain XXKD-1 exhibited high MIC values for various heavy metals and a large spectrum of antibiotic resistance. The order of toxicity of the metals to the bacterium was Cd2+ (1 mM) > Co2+ (2 mM) > Cr3+ (2.5 mM) > Ni2+ (3 mM) > Cu2+ (3.5 mM) > Mn2+ (6 mM) > Zn2+ (10 mM) in Tris minimal broth media. Metal bioaccumulation was determined during the course of growth. C. metallidurans strain XXKD-1 is a very efficient biosorbent. It can remove 74% Mn, 53% Cd, 52% Co, 48% Zn and 4% Cr in the cell walls and 4% Mn, 12% Cd, 11% Co, 9% Zn and 50% Cr in intracellular spaces during the active growth cycle (using initial heavy metal concentrations of 0.5 mM). However, it did not efficiently accumulate Cu and Ni, removing only 12% and 10% with total metal biosorption capacities of 3.8 mg/L (0.06 mM) and 3.1 mg/L (0.053 mM), respectively. Because C. metallidurans cells could grow in the presence of elevated concentrations of metals and present relatively high heavy metal biosorption capacities in aerobic conditions, this bacterium may have potential applications for the in-situ bioremediation of heavy metal-contaminated aqueous (or soil) systems in mine ecosystems.

Equilibrium, kinetic, and thermodynamic biosorption of Pb(II), Cr(III), and Cd(II) ions by dead anaerobic biomass from synthetic wastewater

Heavy metals are toxic pollutants released into the environment as a result of different industrial activities. Biosorption of heavy metals from aqueous solutions is a new technology for the treatment of industrial wastewater. The aim of the present research is to highlight the basic biosorption theory to heavy metal removal. Heterogeneous cultures mostly dried anaerobic bacteria, yeast (fungi), and protozoa were used as low-cost material to remove metallic cations Pb(II), Cr(III), and Cd(II) from synthetic wastewater. Competitive biosorption of these metals was studied. The main biosorption mechanisms were complexation and physical adsorption onto natural active functional groups. It is observed that biosorption of these metals was a surface process. The main functional groups involved in these processes were hydroxyl (-OH) and carboxylic groups (C=O) with 37, 52, and 31 and 21, 14, and 34 % removal of Pb(II), Cr(III), and Cd(II), respectively. Langmuir was the best model for a single system. While extended Langmuir was the best model for binary and ternary metal systems. The maximum uptake capacities were 54.92, 34.78, and 29.99 mg/g and pore diffusion coefficients were 7.23, 3.15, and 2.76 × 10(-11) m(2)/s for Pb(II), Cr(III), and Cd(II), respectively. Optimum pH was found to be 4. Pseudo-second-order was the best model to predict the kinetic process. Biosorption process was exothermic and physical in nature. Pb(II) offers the strongest component that is able to displace Cr(III) and Cd(II) from their sites, while Cd(II) ions are the weakest adsorbed component.

Comparison of the results of response surface methodology and artificial neural network for the biosorption of lead using black cumin

In this study, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) were employed to develop an approach for the evaluation of heavy metal biosorption process. A batch sorption process was performed using Nigella sativa seeds (black cumin), a novel and natural biosorbent, to remove lead ions from aqueous solutions. The effects of process variables which are pH, biosorbent mass, and temperature, on the sorbed amount of lead were investigated through two-levels, three-factors central composite design (CCD). Same design was also utilized to obtain a training set for ANN. The results of two methodologies were compared for their predictive capabilities in terms of the coefficient of determination-R2 and root mean square error-RMSE based on the validation data set. The results showed that the ANN model is much more accurate in prediction as compared to CCD.

Biosorption of Heavy Metals by Paper Mill Waste from Aqueous Solution

In the present study the removal of lead, cadmium, nickel and copper from aqueous solution was carried out using paper mill sludge. Time course studies were carried out with these metals and effect of pH (4-9), metal concentration (5-100mgl -1 ), biomass concentration (15%) were evaluated in batch sorption system. Optimum results obtained at pH 4.5 with 1% biomass concentration (w/v), biosorption was rapid, more than 70% of metal ion adsorbed within 15 minutes even at a concentration of 100mgl -1 of metal. Langmuir and Freundlich sorption isotherm were overall applicable and showed that physico-chemical adsorption and ion exchange interactions simultaneously play a role in binding of the metals. The significance of this paper is the utilization of low cost sorbent available in abundance for the removal of metals from dilute aqueous solution.

Potentiometric electronic tongue-flow injection analysis system for the monitoring of heavy metal biosorption processes

An automated flow injection potentiometric (FIP) system with electronic tongue detection (ET) is used for the monitoring of biosorption processes of heavy metals on vegetable wastes. Grape stalk wastes are used as biosorbent to remove Cu2+ ions in a fixed-bed column configuration. The ET is formed by a 5-sensor array with Cu2+ and Ca2+-selective electrodes and electrodes with generic response to heavy-metals, plus an artificial neural network response model of the sensor's cross-response. The real-time monitoring of both the Cu2+ and the cation exchanged and released (Ca2+) in the effluent solution is performed by using flow-injection potentiometric electronic tongue system. The coupling of the electronic tongue with automation features of the flow-injection system allows us to accurately characterize the Cu2+ ion-biosorption process, through obtaining its breakthrough curves, and the profile of the Ca2+ ion release. In parallel, fractions of the extract solution are analysed by spectroscopic techniques in order to validate the results obtained with the reported methodology. The sorption performance of grape stalks is also evaluated by means of well-established sorption models.

Biosorption of Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) by dead biomasses of green alga Ulva lactuca and the development of a sustainable matrix for adsorption implementation

Many industries have high heavy metals concentrations in their effluents that should be treated before disposal in drains or natural watercourses. When adsorption process is evaluated to generate and implement an efficient, economical and sustainable method suitable for heavy metals removal from contaminated effluents, it is necessary to develop an experimental setup that contains the adsorbent.Ulva lactuca, a marine green alga, was studied as a natural biosorbent for heavy metals at acid pH conditions. Adsorption experiments were carried out in glass columns and in batch where the alga was suspended or fixed in an agar matrix.Langmuir and Freundlich models were applied to the experimental results. Langmuir model best describes the adsorption isotherms in all analyzed cases. The adsorption capacity increases with pH. Kinetic studies demonstrate that, in most studied cases, the adsorption follows a pseudo second order kinetics model.Removal efficiencies of the biomaterial supported in agar or fixed in columns were: fixed in columns>suspended in batch mode>fixed in agar.Finally, the effect of the presence of two sorbates, Cd and Pb, in the solution was measured and results demonstrate that adsorption of both metals are diminished by co/adsorption.

Biosorption of heavy metals by utilising onion and garlic wastes

Onion ( Allium cepa L. ) and garlic ( Allium sativum L. ) wastes from market and food canning processes were used for adsorption of Pb 2+ , Sn 2+ , Fe 2+ , Hg 2+ , As 3+ and Cd 2+ from multi-component systems at different adsorbent/metal ion ratios. The influence of pH, contact time, temperature and the concentration of adsorbent and adsorbate were studied to optimise the conditions to be utilised on a commercial scale for the decontamination of effluents in a batch adsorption technique. The study was carried out at 50°C and efficiencies were found to be pH dependent. The equilibrium time was 30 minutes and kinetic parameters were calculated using a second order model. The maximum q value was 10.47 ± 0.52 mg g –1 obtained for Pb 2+ at an adsorbent loading weight of 0.5 g/100 ml mixed ion solution. Desorption indicates maximum 71% recovery of metal ions, making the remediation process cost effective and reusable. The biomasses were used for removal of heavy metals from both synthetic and industrial effluents and the technique appears industrially applicable and viable.

Biosorption of Heavy Metals with the Use of Mixed Algal Population

Biosorption of Heavy Metals with the Use of Mixed Algal Population

Removal of heavy metals by biosorption

Industrialization and urbanization have resulted in increased releases of toxic heavy metals into the natural environment comprising soils, lakes, rivers, groundwaters and oceans. Research on biosorption of heavy metals has led to the identification of a number of microbial biomass types that are extremely effective in bioconcentrating metals. Biosorption is the binding and concentration of adsorbate from aqueous solutions by certain types of inactive and dead microbial biomass. The novel types of biosorbents presently reviewed are grouped under fungal biomass, biomass of non-living, dried brown marine algae, agricultural wastes and residues, composite chitosan biosorbent prepared by coating chitosan, cellulose-based sorbents and bacterial strains. The reports discussed in this review collectively suggest the promise of biosorption as a novel and green bioremediation technique for heavy metal pollutants from contaminated natural waters and wastewaters.