Microbial Biotechnology

Environmental Biotechnology

Electronic Journal of Biotechnology ISSN: 0717-3458 Vol. 7 No. 1, Issue of April 15, 2004
© 2004 by Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso -- Chile Received April 16, 2003 / Accepted March 10, 2004
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Biosorption of heavy metals from waste water using Pseudomonas sp.

Hany Hussein*
Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Institute
Mubarak City for Scientific Research and Technology Applications
New Burg El Arab City, Alexandria, Egypt
Tel: 2034593422
Fax: 2034593423
E-mail: hhussein66@yahoo.com

Soha Farag Ibrahim
Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Institute
Mubarak City for Scientific Research and Technology Applications
New Burg El Arab City, Alexandria, Egypt
Tel: 2034593422
Fax: 2034593423
E-mail: soha farag88@yahoo.com

Kamal Kandeel
Biochemistry Department
Faculty of Science
Alexandria University
Alexandria, Egypt
Tel: 2033921595
Fax: 2033911794

Hassan Moawad
National Research Center
El Tahrir Street, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
Tel: 202 7601036
Fax: 202 7601036
E-mail: hassanmoawad@hotmail.com

*Corresponding author


Keywords: biosorption, Freundlich isotherm, heavy metals, Langmuir isotherm.

Abstract
Full Text

Biosorption experiments for Cr(VI), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Ni(II) were investigated in this study using nonliving biomass of different Pseudomonas species. The applicability of the Langmuir and Freundlich models for the different biosorbent was tested. The coefficient of determination (R2) of both models were mostly greater than 0.9. In case of Ni(II) and Cu(II), their coefficients were found to be close to one. This indicates that both models adequately describe the experimental data of the biosorption of these metals. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be the highest for Ni followed by Cd(II), Cu(II) and Cr(VI). Whereas the Freundlich constant k in case of Cd(II) was found to be greater than the other metals. Maximum Cr(VI) removal reached around 38% and its removal increased with the increase of Cr(VI) influent. Cu(II) removal was at its maximum value in presence of Cr(VI) as a binary metal, which reached 93% of its influent concentration. Concerning to Cd(II) and Ni(II) similar removal ratios were obtained, since it was ranged between 35 to 88% and their maximum  removal were obtained in the case of individual Cd(II) and Ni(II).

 
Supported by UNESCO / MIRCEN network