BIOSORPTION OF TOXIC METALS - AN EQUILIBRIUM STUDY USING FREE-CELLS OF ARTHROBACTER SP

A study on the biosorption of toxic metals (copper, manganese, nickel and lead) by a species of Arthrobacter is presented. The equilibrium o f the process was in all cases well described by the Langmuir isotherm . The highest values of specific uptake were 406 mg Mn/g, 148 mg Cu/g, 13 mg Ni/g and 130 mg Pb/g. Some factorial experiments were performed in order to investigate the effect of operating and cultural conditio ns on the equilibrium. Experimental results showed the influence of th e biomass concentration on the specific uptake (mg of metal/g of bioma ss as dry weight). A comparison with results reported in the literatur e was made. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd