Biosorption Of Metals Research Articles

I - Ecologically responsible and efficient recycling of Pd from aqueous effluents using biosorption on biomass feedstock

In the current context of the considerable interest in palladium (Pd), a new process of Pd biosorption is described with various natural materials derived from plant feedstocks. Eichhornia crassipes was chosen as a model plant for determining the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of Pd biosorption. The optimised process was then tested on other natural materials (wheat, pine cones, coffee grounds, green tea grounds), powders derived from dead native (Mentha aquatica) and invasive aquatic plants (Pistia stratiotes, Ludwigia peploides). The competitive biosorption of other platinum group metals, i.e. Pd, Ru, Ir, Rh, Pt) was also evaluated using E. crassipes. Moreover, selective separation of Pd, Pt, Ru and Ir was possible. Mechanistic investigations allowed us to explain the high affinity of Pd for root powder obtained from aquatic plants.

Comparison Of Heavy Metal Absorption Of Some Algae Isolated From Altınapa Dam Lake (Konya)

Today, due to the intense pollution in water resources, clean water shortage is experienced in most regions. In order to remove the pollution from waters, many studies are carried out using algae with high metal absorption capacity. In our study, benthic algae samples from different habitats (epipelic, epiphytic and epilitic) were taken from the Altınapa Dam Lake in Konya, in order to study the potentials of heavy metal removal. Some microalgae were isolated from the samples and heavy metal absorption capacities were examined among the pure cultures obtained. Biosorption properties were tried to be determined in samples taken at 5, 10, 20, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes by exposing Chlorochytrium paradoxum, Haematococcus lacustris and Scenedesmus circumfusus species to heavy metals of Cu and Mn. Scenedesmus circumfusus species reached the best absorption capacity for both Cu and Mn metals. According to this research, the algae we studied are of the opinion that they can be used to increase the efficiency and selectivity of heavy metal biosorption.

Assessment of resistance and biosorption ability of Lactobacillus paracasei to remove lead and cadmium from aqueous solution.

Since heavy metals have been regarded as ubiquitous environmental pollutants, the exploitation of bacterial biosorption has been suggested as an applicable method for being employed for heavy metal depletion. The present study aimed to characterize the function of Lactobacillus paracasei in the presence of Pb (II) and Cd (II). The simultaneous effect of pH, initial metal concentration, and inoculum size demonstrated the Pb (II) removal of 85.77% at the lowest pH, while the inoculum size was enhanced to 45CFU/100ml. The maximum Cd (II) removal was obtained at a high level of pH and inoculum size, while the metal concentration was reduced to 30ppb. The addition of Cd (II) concentration in access led to the 10% drop in Cd (II) removal efficiency attributed to the metal toxicity and pH. Additionally, the slight variation in the amount of inoculum size caused the decreasing trend in the Cd (II) removal. According to the obtained results, the benefit of L.paracasei in the biosorption of heavy metals was well-recognized, which could be suggested as an alternative candidate. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Strain of Lactobacillus paracasei as potential probiotics was tested for biosorption. A successful response surface method was proposed. L.paracasei showed a good efficiency for the lead and cadmium biosorption. Biosorption process was effective in removing low metal level from drinking water. The maximum biosorption was found to be 85.77% for Pb (II) obtained from the experiment.

Isolation of Chitin from Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) and Its Usage to Metal Sorption.

Chitin has become a desirable raw material used in various areas of life. The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) can be a source of this substance. In the literature, there are many methods of obtaining chitin but there is no one universal method of isolating it. In this publication, we present various procedures for the isolation of chitin from H. illucens pupal exuviae. The obtained chitin variants were characterized using different techniques (optical and confocal microscopy, FTIR, XRD, EDX, thermogravimetric analysis). The tested chitin isolated with an efficiency of 5.69–7.95% was the α form with a crystallinity degree of 60% and maximum degradation temperature of 392 °C. Furthermore, we characterized the nickel ion biosorption process on chitin and proposed the mechanism of this process to be ion exchange and complexation. There have been no such studies thus far on the isolation of chitin from H. illucens exuviae or on the biosorption of nickel ions on this type of biosorbent. The conducted research can be used to develop the application of chitin as a metal biosorbent that can be obtained with relatively high efficiency and good sorption properties.

Study of Langmuir kinetics for removal of heavy metals by the fungal biomass

The toxic heavy metals cause soil and water pollution. The heavy metals include cadmium, lead, zinc, arsenic, chromium, nickel, mercury, etc. There are physico-chemical methods for the removal of heavy metals from contaminated soils and water. The biosorption technique is easy, eco-friendly and economical for the removal of heavy metals from contaminated soils and water bodies. The work here describes the study of Langmuir kinetics for the removal of heavy metals by Aspergillus clavatus, Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus fumigatus. The fungi were isolated from the distillery spentwash-based composts and compost yard soil collected from the sugar factories viz., Theur, Malegaon and Baramati, Maharashtra, India. The Langmuir equations and constants were determined. The data showed the Langmuir isotherm model best fits the experimental data for biosorption of heavy metals viz., Zn, Pb and Ni and also second order pseudo kinetics is obeyed. The kinetics study will help to know curve of biosorption process. The study will be useful for the application of biosorption process on a large-scale.

Biosorption of Heavy Metals from Water onto Phenolic Foams Based on Tannins and Lignin Alkaline Liquor

In this study, easy to manufacture and ecological solid free-formaldehyde phenolic foams were prepared by a mechanical foaming process from mixtures of tannins and lignin alkaline liquor. The resulting biosourced phenolic foams were characterized and examined as bio-adsorbents for heavy metals (Cu2+, Cd2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+) removal from aqueous solutions. Many experimental parameters were investigated to optimize metals adsorption such as solution pH, temperature, initial metal concentration, and metals-foams contact time. The adsorption capacities of studied metals onto biosourced foams reached 46.5, 41, 29.1, and 100.9 mg/g for Cu2+, Cd2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+, respectively. Their adsorption isotherms and kinetics isotherms were simulated using nonlinear regression to determine the best fit to the experimental data. The study of the obtained isotherms proved that the adsorption process on biosourced phenolic foams follows the Sips isotherm for Zn2+ and Redlich-Peterson isotherm for Cu2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+. The kinetics adsorption study showed that the Elovich model for Cd2+, the Avrami model for Pb2+ and the general order model for Cu2+ and Zn2+ fits more to experimental data. These porous materials could be used as low cost and efficient bio-adsorbents for heavy metals removal from polluted water.

Colocasia esculenta stem as novel biosorbent for potentially toxic metals removal from aqueous system.

Biosorption is an ingenious technique that uses biological materials to acquire trace metal ions from wastewater. In the present study, the ability of Colocasia esculenta stem biomass was explored for the biosorption of toxic trace metals. The maximum removal was observed for arsenate (As5+) with 58.63%, followed by chromium (Cr6+) with 56.56%, and cadmium (Cd2+) with 41.2%. However, for copper (Cu2+), nickel (Ni2+), and zinc (Zn2+), low adsorption was observed. Batch sorption tests revealed that adsorbent dosage of 0.5g, 0.5g, and 0.3g; time of 10 h, 4 h, and 10 h; room temperature range of 25-30°C; pH range of 7.0-4.5; and initial concentration of 30 μg/L, 20 mg/L, and 30 mg/L were the optimum conditions for the removal of As5+, Cr6+, and Cd2+, respectively. Scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) analysis of Colocasia esculenta stem biomass before and after adsorption revealed that the trace metals successfully get adsorbed on the surface of the biosorbent. The equilibrium data fitted well with the adsorption isotherm model of Langmuir (for As5+, Cr6+, and Cd2+), Dubinin-Radushkevich (for As5+ and Cr6+), and Flory-Huggins (for Cd2+), and the kinetic data of As5+, Cr6+, and Cd2+ biosorption were best described by pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic studies revealed that the adsorption process for all concerned trace metals acts in a spontaneous manner and is endothermic in nature. Thus, the use of Colocasia esculenta stem biomass proved to be an efficient and economical alternative for the treatment of effluents contaminated with these trace metals.

Heavy metals biosorption mechanism of partially delignified products derived from mango (Mangifera indica) and guava (Psidium guiag) barks.

This paper evaluates the biosorption of toxic metal ions onto the bioadsorbents derived from mango (Mangifera indica) and guava (Psidium guiag) barks and their metal fixation mechanisms. Maximum metal biosorption capacities of the mango bioadsorbent were found in the following increasing order (mg/g): Hg (16.24) < Cu (22.24) < Cd (25.86) < Pb (60.85). Maximum metal biosorption capacities of guava bioadsorbent follow similar order (mg/g): Hg (21.48) < Cu (30.36) < Cd (32.54) < Pb (70.25), but with slightly higher adsorption capacities. The removal mechanisms of heavy metals using bioadsorbents have been ascertained by studying their surface properties and functional groups using various spectrometric, spectroscopic, and microscopic methods. Whewellite (C2CaO4·H2O) has been identified in bioadsorbents based on the characterization of their surface properties using X-ray techniques (XPS and XRD), facilitating the ion exchange of metal ions with Ca2+ bonded with carboxylate moieties. For both the bioadsorbents, the Pb2+, Cu2+, and Cd2+ are biosorbed completely by ion exchange with Ca2+ (89-94%) and Mg2+ (7-12%), whereas Hg2+ is biosorbed partially (57-66%) by ion exchange with Ca2+ (38-42%) and Mg2+ (19-24%) due to involvement of other cations in the ion exchange processes. Bioadsorbents contain lignin which act as electron donor and reduced Cr(VI) into Cr(III) (29.87 and 37.25 mg/g) in acidic medium. Anionic Cr(VI) was not adsorbed onto bioadsorbents at higher pH due to their electrostatic repulsion with negatively charged carboxylic functional groups.

Bioremediation of heavy metals from pharmaceutical industry sewages using bimetallic nanoparticles of Eichorniacrassipes

Biosorption remains one of the most productive and safe technologies that could be received particularly with green algae as biosorbent in the ejection of heavy metals from the effluent. Bimetallic nanoparticles were synthesized from Eichorniacrassipies utilizing the mix of both gold chloride and silver nitrate (3:1). Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were used in the evaluation of the Nanoparticles. The bimetallic nanoparticles wereutilized as a biosorbent for particular heavy metals (lead, zinc, copper and manganese) present in a pharmaceutical effluent. The nanoparticles were brought into the effluent at various concentrations (1mg, 5mg and 10mg) and time intervals of 24h, 48h and 72h. The decrease in concentration of each metal was determined utilizing Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The synthesis of NPs was affirmed by colour change in the blend from light green to lilac after 5min of incubation. The UV-visible spectroscopy adsorption spectrum for bimetallic nanoparticles of E.crassipes (EC-AuAgNPs) was at 398nm while SEM micrograph shown spherical and cube shaped particles with size ranging from 0.31nm- 1.077nm. The FTIR absorbance peaks were available at 3263.93 (O-H), 2107.11 (-C≡C-), 1631.16 (C═C), 1338 (C-N), and 1034.96 cm−1 (C-O). The most extreme rate decrease acquired for each metal was; Copper (67.25%, 10 mg at 72 h); Zinc (61.13%, 1mg at 72 h); Lead (93.37%, 1 mg at 72 h) and Manganese (69.26, 10 mg at 72 h).The biosorption of heavy metals by EC-AuAgNPs was contact time dependent for all the metals and biosorbent concentration dependent for only copper and manganese.

Competitive Biosorption of Pb(II) and Cu(II) by Functionalised Micropogonias undulates Scales

Background: Modified bio-based adsorbents from plant sources can be used for pollution remediation by adsorption due to their low cost and availability in large quantities. Objective: In this study, the competitive biosorption of Pb(II) and Cu(II) by Micropogonias undulates functionalised fish scales (FFS) was conducted. The functionalisation was done by wet impregnation with Fe2+. Method: The biosorbent was characterised by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEMEDS) and Branueur-Emmett-Teller (BET) analyses. Results: The major constituents in the FFS were calcium and phosphorus from the collagen and apatite on the scales. Optimum removal efficiency for both metals was &gt;99% at 10 g/l dosage. It was observed that the Langmuir isotherm model and the pseudo second order kinetics model were the best fit for the experimental data. The monolayer adsorption capacity of FFS for Pb(II) and Cu(II) was observed to be 96.15 mg/g and 100 mg/g, respectively. Conclusion: The study revealed that the competitive biosorption of heavy metals can be achieved (at a good adsorption capacity) using functionalised Micropogonias undulates fish scales.

Penyisihan Logam Cr (VI) dari Limbah Cair Elektroplating Menggunakan Mikroalga Chlorella sp. dengan Variasi Penambahan External-Glutathione

Electroplating wastewater containing metal Cr (VI), which has a high toxicity. An alternative treatment is absorbed using microalgae Chlorella sp. Chlorella sp. has the ability to synthesize glutathione phytochelatin (GSH) to respond to the toxic effects of heavy metals. If the micro algae cannot synthesize phytochelatin properly, the cells will die due to exposure to heavy metals in a long contact time. In this study, GSH was added to the metal biosorption process by micro algae Chlorella sp. This study aimed on determining the effect of the adding GSH during the biosorption process. The study was conducted with variations of GSH (0, 5, 10, and 15 mg/L) and variations of contact time (1, 2, 3, and 4 days). The results of this study show that high cell density occurred in the reactor with the addition of GSH 15 mg/L which is 1.72x106 cells/ml. The highest removal of Cr (VI) metal occurred in 4 day contact with the addition of GSH 15 mg/L and obtained a 72% removal efficiency.

Effect of growth conditions on cell wall composition and cadmium adsorption in Chlorella vulgaris: A new approach to biosorption research

Biosorption of toxic metals in microalgae is a process relying on the presence of cell wall reactive groups acting as binding sites. This work studied the effect of culture conditions on the outer cell wall composition of C. vulgaris and cadmium biosorption. The experiments were conducted in continuous culture under light and nitrogen limitation at two growth rates (0.4 and 0.2 d−1). Functional groups were profiled using ATR-FTIR spectrometry, and total cadmium biosorption was assayed. Significant differences in composition were attested the most salient being the absence of carboxyl groups in the light deprived states and a larger number of carbohydrates and amino groups in the nitrogen deprived cultures, particularly amino groups from deacetylated D-glucosamine polysaccharides. Higher biosorption was obtained with the nitrogen-restricted biomass, reaching a maximum of 11.9 mgCd/gbiomass, as compared to a minimum of 8.0 mgCd/gbiomass achieved in the light-restricted states. The increased biosorption exhibited by nitrogen-restricted strains was attributed to the deacetylated amino groups that have enhanced cation affinity. This work has shown that the characteristics of the outer cell wall can be engineered by culture conditions to improve biosorption, providing a new approach that opens up new research frontiers for the biosorption of hazardous metals.

Evaluation of interaction among indigenous rhizobacteria and Vigna unguiculata on remediation of metal-containing abandoned magnesite mine tailing.

Abandoned magnesite mine heap causing pollution to nearby farmland and water reservoir. Thus the intention of this research was to screening metal mobilizing and absorbing bacteria from the rhizosphere section of V. unguiculata from farmland nearby to magnesite mine. Further, studied their stimulus effect on growth, biomass, and phytoextraction prospective of V unguiculata in mine tailing. The results of the physicochemical properties of mine tailing shows that four metals (Pb, Mn, Cd, and Zn) were crossing the permissible limit. Out of 27 isolates, 2 isolates (MMS15 and MMS17) were identified with maximum metal tolerance for up to 700mgL-1 (MIC) and metal mobilization (Pb 5.5 and 5.87, Mn 6.6 and 4.88, Cd 1.99 and 2.59, and Zn 6.55 and 6.94mgkg-1) and biosorption efficiency as Pb 3.74 and 3.74, Mn 4.9 and 4.7, Cd 2.41 and 3.96, and Zn 4.3 and 4.9mgg-1. These two strains were identified as members of B. cereus and Kosakonia sp. using 16S rRNA technique and labelled strains NDRMN001 and MGR1, respectively. The Kosakonia sp. MGR1 effectively fixes the nitrogen in the rate of 81.94% and B. cereus NDRMN001 solubilizes 69.98 ± 2.31mgL-1 of soluble phosphate. The experimental group's study results show that the group C (Kosakonia sp. MGR1 and B. cereus NDRMN001) has effectively stimulate the growth, biomass, and phytoextraction potential of V. unguiculata. The results conclude that the optimistic interaction between these two bacteria could be more significant to minimize the metal pollution in magnesite mine tailing.

Effect of cleanup of spiked sludge on corn growth biosorption and metal leaching

A chemical leaching process was used for the cleanup of two municipal biosolids (MOS and BES) spiked with Cd, Cu, Zn or their mixture prior to agricultural use. Non-cleaned, cleaned and washed biosolids were compared as soil amendments for corn cultivation in greenhouse. Corn growth, biosorption and metal leaching were measured. Results showed that biosolid amendments tend to produce more aerial biomass. Cleanup and washing of BES biosolid significantly increased total biomass of roots and stalks, respectively. Regarding biosorption of metals, Cd accumulated in roots (0.06–1.13 mg kg−1) and leaves (0.06–0.63 mg kg−1), but not in seeds nor in stalks. Larger amounts of Cu were detected in roots (10.7–18.2 mg kg−1), stalks (1.29–3.78 mg kg−1) and leaves (6.77–20.2 mg kg−1). However, Zn was more accumulated in roots (17.9–74.9 mg kg−1), stalks (6.15–17.1 mg kg−1) and leaves (47.9–90.1 mg kg−1). Whereas Cd and Cu decreased in the order roots > leaves > stalks, Zn decreased from leaves > roots > stalks. Cleanup and washing of MOS and BES biosolids significantly lowered biosorption of Cd (up to 84%), Cu (up to 38%), Zn (up to 63%), and other metals. Concentrations in leachate draining into outlet water varied over time, but on average were moderately low. Significant amounts of metal leached from MOS biosolid. The effects of cleanup and washing of both biosolids on biosorption and leaching depended on the initial metallic charge and the biosolid type.

Bond Stability Between Heavy Metals and &lt;i&gt;Saccharomyces cerevisiae&lt;/i&gt; ATCC 9763 Under Gastrointestinal Simulated Conditions and Assessments of Kinetics and Adsorption Isotherm Models

In this study, stability of yeast-metal complexes under simulated gastrointestinal condition, isotherm and kinetic models of absorptions, and the effects of pretreatments on biosorption has been studied. Results showed that the best biosorption of metals from aqueous solutions by Saccharomyces (S.) cerevisiae may be achieved after NaOH pretreatment for Mercury (Hg) 90.6%. While biodecontamination of Lead (Pb) 37.48%, Arsenic (As) 19.44%, and Cadmium (Cd) 39.9% by untreated yeast was better. In gastrointestinal condition Hg and Cd-yeast complexes were more stable and biosorption of Cd and Pb increased. Bonds of As and Hg-yeast complexes in digestion condition be reversible. The metals biosorption by untreated yeast followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic and The Langmuir isotherm models for all metals (As matched with Langmuir and Freundlich). In conclusion, using S. cerevisiae to limit the bioavailability of heavy metals in fermented drinking and dairy after digestion condition cannot be safe and metal-yeast bonds are reversible.

Levan from Azotobacter vinelandii as a Component of Biosorbents for Heavy Metals and Radionuclides

Cultivation of Azotobacter vinelandii D-08 in media with molasses and distillery waste was shown to increase levansaccharase activity and levan biosynthesis. Levansaccharase also exhibited maximal activity when grown in a molasses medium, which correlated with the highest level of the polysaccharide synthesis. An additional fraction of high molecular weight levan (more than 1000 kDa) with a modified molecular structure (reduced contribution of double bond oscillations and decreased molecule hydration) was synthesized by bacteria, which resulted in a higher capacity for the binding of Na, Mg, S, Ca, and Fe in the cultivation medium. Cryogels based on polyvinyl alcohol and levan were capable of efficient maximal absorption of different ions at different times: copper (1 h), zinc (24 h), and cadmium (10 min), radioactive plutonium (4 h), and uranium (168 h). This suggests that they can be used as sorbents for wastewater treatment to eliminate heavy metals and radionuclides.

Adsorption Properties of Au(III) and Cu(II) from Aqueous Solution Using Chemically Treated Sheep Wool

Au(III) and Cu(II) adsorption from aqueous solution were carried out using sheep wools with chemical treatments, by NaOH, Na2S, NaHSO3, and NaBH4 aqueous solution. The fibrous wool was transformed into a film like structures after the chemical treatment using Na2S. The sheep wool and the chemically treated sheep wool adsorbed selectively Au(III) from Au-Cu binary aqueous solution and the presence of copper ion had no effect on the Au(III) adsorption. Au(III) adsorbed substantially at low pH range. The kinetic experimental data fitted well with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the adsorption amount of Au(III) increased with time and reached a plateau after 12 h. The kinetic analysis suggests that rate determining step of Au adsorption would be chemisorption due to the formation of a monolayer on the wool surface. Sheep wool is a low cost, eco-friendly material, and has a high capacity of adsorption, and could be used as a biosorbent for precious and heavy metals by modification of appropriate chemical treatment.

Applicability of linear driving force (LDF) mass transfer model for heavy metal biosorption in packed bed column

Adsorption technique for industrial effluent treatment as well as recovery of valuable components have been widely accepted for application. Since then, many researches on adsorption field have been established to investigate the economical yet having high separation efficiency of adsorbent for specific purpose. Biosorbent, for instance have shifted the focused of researches due to their abundant existence that can be easily converted into adsorbent, and some showed promising separation properties. However, the study on the biosorbent adsorption usually limited until the isotherm determination in batch experimental study. The dynamic behaviour of the system requires the experimental set-up in packed bed column, which is primarily controlled by the mass transfer mechanism. Mathematical expression describing the system is very useful as preliminary estimation of the system dynamic behaviour, provided by several input parameters such as isotherm parameters and mass transfer coefficients. Linear driving force (LDF) model approximation has proved its reliability to describe the dynamic behaviour of a system over a wide range of adsorption process. By taking three (3) experiments adsorption system on packed bed, the respective systems were simulated employing LDF approximation to obtain the dynamic behaviour of the system. The breakthrough curves were simulated by using the simplified mathematical model of LDF approximation. It is shown that the predicted LDF approximation give acceptable agreement to the experimental data with error of less than 15%, provided with mass transfer coefficient predicted from correlation. Overall, this work proved that it is possible to accurately determine the behaviour of the system using LDF approximation accompanied with the predicted mass transfer coefficient (MTC) from correlation and accurately determined adsorption isotherm for continuous system. Therefore, the mass transfer approximation is further used for evaluation of industrial-scaled packed bed column.

Arsenic (III) Biosorption with Fenugreek (Methi) Seed Powder as a Low-cost Biosorbent

This research study focuses at the use of fenugreek seed powder as a bio adsorbent for removing arsenic from aqueous media. Metal biosorption research on Fenugreek seed powder has been studied in just a few studies. SEM, FTIR, and XRD were used to investigate the constituents and properties of fenugreek seed powder, which revealed the constituents and properties that enabled the arsenic biosorption process to succeed. To investigate the strength of arsenic adsorption using Fenugreek seed powder as a bioadsorbent, the effects of primary parameters including contact time, dose, concentration, pH, and temperature were used. The report of these parameters suggested that as the parameters increased, the efficient removal of arsenic increased until equilibrium was reached, but no successful results were seen after gaining the equilibrium. The biosorption process to Freundlich isotherm and pseudo kinetic order in liner form with better correlation coefficients was verified by a survey of biosorption isotherms and kinetic results. The system was endothermic, random, and favourable with biosorption characteristics at various temperatures, as determined by the thermodynamic constants. As a result of these findings, fenugreek seed powder has been modified for arsenic adsorption.

Recent Advances in Biosorption of Copper and Cobalt by Filamentous Fungi.

Copper (Cu) and Cobalt (Co) are among the most toxic heavy metals from mining and other industrial activities. Both are known to pose serious environmental concerns, particularly to water resources, if not properly treated. In recent years several filamentous fungal strains have been isolated, identified and assessed for their heavy metal biosorption capacity for potential application in bioremediation of Cu and Co wastes. Despite the growing interest in heavy metal removal by filamentous fungi, their exploitation faces numerous challenges such as finding suitable candidates for biosorption. Based on current findings, various strains of filamentous fungi have high metal uptake capacity, particularly for Cu and Co. Several works indicate that Trichoderma, Penicillium, and Aspergillus species have higher Cu and Co biosorption capacity compared to other fungal species such as Geotrichum, Monilia, and Fusarium. It is believed that far more fungal species with even higher biosorption capability are yet to be isolated. Furthermore, the application of filamentous fungi for bioremediation is considered environmentally friendly, highly effective, reliable, and affordable, due to their low technology pre-requisites. In this review, we highlight the capacity of various identified filamentous fungal isolates for biosorption of copper and cobalt from various environments, as well as their future prospects.