SORPTION OF HEAVY-METALS BY 4 BASIDIOMYCETOUS FUNGI

Biosorptions of Pb2+, Cr6+, Cd2+ and Ni2+ were investigated, with spec ial emphasis on the first one, using live and dead fungal mycelia. Of the four fungi, namely Polyporus ostreiformis, Volvariella volvacea, P leurotus sajor-caju and Phanerochaete chrysosporium, the last one was found to be most effective in pb(2+) removal. Total biosorption was ef fected in 6 days up to the Pb2+ concentration of 6 mg/l, with a specif ic uptake of 1.33 mg Pb2+/g dry cell mass. The removal of other three metals varied between 28.8-73.3% from a medium containing 4 mg/l of ea ch of the metals.