BIOSORPTION OF METALS FROM DILUTE AQUEOUS-SOLUTIONS

Dilute aqueous solutions, generated or used by industry, can contain a variety of different metal ions. Various processes are suitable for r eclamation of toxic metals and among them, attention is paid here to b iosorption. The ability of microorganisms to remove metal ions from so lution is a well known phenomenon. Industrial applications of biosorpt ion often make use of dead biomass, which does not require nutrients a nd can be exposed to environments of high toxicity. Experimental labor atory batch experiments are described for actinomycetes, fungi and for activated sludge, as the metal biosorbents, providing insight into ca dmium biosorption. Non-living biomass showed greater binding capacitie s for cadmium (a priority pollutant) than living biomass. Engineering considerations are central in decisions concerning the commercial futu re of biosorption and a practical solution is needed for certain probl ems, such as the efficient separation of metal-loaded biomass.