Adsorption and Desorption of Cadmium by Free and Immobilized Fungal Biomass

摘要

Adsorption and desorption of Cd(II) from aqueous solutions by free and immobilized biomass of the white rot fungus P. chrysosporium has been studied in batch experiments to determine the effects of immobilization on metal uptake by fungal biomass. Using loofa sponge as an immobilizing matrix showed a positive effect on the uptake of metal ions and an increase of ca. 20% in the bio-sorption capacity of immobilized biomass was noted as compared to free biomass. During these biosorption studies loofa sponge-immobilized fungal biomass exhibited excellent physical and chemical properties. Biosorption equilibrium, both for free and immobilized fungal biomass, was established in about 1 h and showed that specific Cd(II) uptake of the biomass increased with an increase in the initial metal concentration. The equilibrium biosorption was well defined by the Langmuir biosorption isotherm.