FUNGAL BIOSORPTION - AN ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT OPTION FOR HEAVY-METAL BEARING WASTEWATERS - A REVIEW

The common filamentous fungi can sorb heavy metals from aqueous soluti ons. The sorption of heavy metals, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Fe, Ni, Ag, Th, Ra and U, by fungal biomass has been observed to varying extents. Fungal biosorption largely depends on parameters such as pH, metal ion and bi omass concentration, physical or chemical pre-treatment of biomass, pr esence of various ligands in solution, and to a limited extent on temp erature. Fungal biosorption performs well in comparison to sorption on commercial ion-exchange resins, activated carbon, and metal oxides. L imited data indicate the potential for regenerating the biomass. The c ell-wall fraction of biomass plays an important role in the sorption o f heavy metals. The mechanisms of biosorption are understood only to a limited extent. The potential of fungal biomass as sorbents is indica ted by the available data, and more research and development of the fu ngal biosorption technology is recommended.