Biosorption of aluminium from solution by dead <i>Aspergillus Oryzae</i> Biomass isolated from aluminium mills waste site

Abstract

Continuous use of aluminium in production process has increased its concentration in industrial effluents and the environment, therefore the need for its removal. This study focused on the possibility of aluminum sorption by metal-accumulating fungi biomass. Aspergillus oryzae biomass isolated from an aluminium industry waste site  was used for sorption of Al³⁺ ions at low concentrations of 10-50 mg/L. Effect of contact time and pH on biosorption of aluminium ions from solution was also evaluated. The result showed that highest aluminium sorption was obtained at pH 6 after 24 hours. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm constants described a feasible and favorable sorption process with a low maximum sorption capacity of 0.071 mg/g and high Langmuir constant, b, of 21.74; while the Freundlich isotherm was a better model for describing the sorption process. This study therefore showed that A. oryzae can be a better sorbent for use in aluminium sorption process with further improvement.

Keywords: Aluminium, Aspergillus oryzae, Biosorption, Isotherm, Langmuir, Freundlich.