Removal of Heavy Metals from Industrial Effluent by Biomass of Aspergillus flavus

Biosorption is a potential alternative to traditional processes of metal ions removal. Therefore, the capacity to biosorb cadmium and lead by Aspergillus flavus strain 44-1 was investigated. Batch-scale experiments were conducted to study the effect of design parameters such as pH, retention time and initial metal concentration. Fixed dried Aspergillus flavus strain 44-1 dose of 2g/L was applied through the study. The highest removal for Cd and Pb were 50% and 70% respectively. For both metals, uptake increased by increasing the initial metal concentration. The experimental biosorption equilibrium data were in good agreement with those calculated by Freundlich model. The maximum sorption capacities determined from the experimental equilibrium isotherms by applying the Freundlich model showed that the Aspergillus flavus has best ability at pH 4 and pH 6 for Cd and Pb respectively. By applying Freundlich model at pH 6, k was 28 for Pb and 21 for Cd, and at pH 4, k was 20 for Pb and 30 for Cd. This means that treated adsorbents show good adsorption capacities for Cd and Pb.