Biosorption of Zn (II) ions from aqueous solution by immobilized <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i>

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the biosorption of Zn (II) from aqueous solution by Aspergillus fumigatus immobilized in calcium alginate. The effects of adsorbent dosage, initial solution pH, contact time and initial Zn (II) concentrations were investigated. Results were fitted to the Langmuir isotherm. The results showed an increase in biosorption efficiency with increase in biosorbent dosage. The optimum pH of adsorption was 5.0 while the maximum adsorption was achieved within 10 minutes at initial Zn (II) concentration of 1 mg/L. The experimental results showed a high R² (0.9070) value for the Langmuir isotherm. This therefore suggests that it is a monolayer adsorption. The maximum biosorption capacity was 3.55 mgg^-1. These results indicate that zinc metal removal by biomass of Aspergillus fumigatus immobilized in alginate is a low cost wastewater treatment option and can be effectively used in small scale treatment plants.

Keywords: Biosorption, Aspergillus fumigatus, Adsorbent, Alginate, Isotherm, Langmuir