Removal of Cd(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) from aqueous solutions by live Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Living Phanerochaete chrysosporium mycelia were used to remove heavy metals of Cd(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) in auqeous solution. The uptake of heavy metal by the mycelia was dependent on the environmental conditions. The optimum biosorption conditions of Cd(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) were pH 5.5-6.5 at 37 degrees C, and 6 h. Under these conditions, the fungal biosorbent removed Cd(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) rapidly and efficiently with maximum metal removal capacities of 59.77 mg/g, 74.78 mg/g, and 54.12 mg/g, respectively. The pseudo second-order kinetic model was superior to the pseudo first-order kinetic model, which indicated that the change of the surface sorption sites number was proportional to the square of the remaining unoccupied surface sites number. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra indicated that hydroxyl and carboxyl groups were relevant to biosorption. Some crystal particles were found on the surface of the P. chrysosporium under scanning electron microscopy. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis and FT-IR revealed that amino acids and proteins were involved in binding metal ions. The results demonstrated that P. chrysosporium was a good potential biosorbent for adsorbing heavy metals.