BIOSORPTION OF HEAVY-METAL IONS BY IMMOBILIZED ZOOGLOEA AND ZOOGLAN

Immobilized Zoogloea and zooglan in calcium alginate-silica matrix was shown to have a high adsorption capacity for Cu and Cd ions. Our resu lts showed that Cu-ion uptake in the presence of Ca and Mg ions can be enhanced using immobilized Zoogloea and zooglan. Heavy metal ion adso rption efficiency decreased in the following order: Cu>Cd>Zn>Cr. The a dsorbed metal ions were desorbed completely using sulfuric acid. Immob ilized Zoogloea and zooglan which was repetitively regenerated adsorbe d heavy metal ions without a loss of adsorption capacity.