Biosorption of Heavy Metals onto Two Types of Fungi Biomass in Batch Experiments

Shahlaa Esmail Ebrahim; Nadhem Hasan Hyder; Yousif Mohammed Yousif

Shahlaa Esmail Ebrahim Assist. Prof- Department of Environmental Engineering-University of Baghdad -Iraq
Nadhem Hasan Hyder Assist. Prof- Department of Environmental Engineering-University of Baghdad -Iraq
Yousif Mohammed Yousif Department of Environmental Engineering-University of Baghdad -Iraq

Abstract

Biosorption of lead, cadmium and zinc ions from synthetic wastewaters onto two types of fungi biomass were studied. Batch experiments for spent mushroom (macro-fungi) and cultured fungi (micro-fungi) Fusarium oxisporium biomass were performed. Spent mushroom biomass was found to have maximum uptake adsorption, 73.4, 34.38 and 24.48 mg/g for lead, cadmium and zinc ions, respectively, while cultured fungi biomass uptakes were 51.66, 24.52 and 20.46 mg/g for lead, cadmium and zinc ions, respectively. Optimum conditions were selected for biosorption uptake onto fungi biomasses. The best pH was found to be 4 for Pb(II), 5 for Cd(II) & Zn(II). The optimum contact time was found to be 2 hr for all metal ions. Optimum mean particle size was found to be 0.3 mm. Nine equilibrium isotherm models were used for representing the experimental data. Langmuir isotherm model gave the best fit model for all metal ions.