Biosorption of inorganic mercury and alkylmercury species on to Phanerochaete chrysosporium mycelium

The biosorption of inorganic mercury (HgCl2), methyl mercury (CH3HgCl) and ethyl mercury (C2H5HgCl) onto the dry biomass of Phanerochaete chryosponum was studied from aqueous media which concentrations in the range of 5-500 m g l(-1). The surface charge density varied with pH, and the concentration o f mercury species adsorbed significantly increased from pH 3.0 to maximum l evels at pH 8.0. The biosorption of mercury ions by Phanerochaete chrysospo rium increased as the initial concentration of Hg(II) ion increased in the adsorption medium. A biosorption equilibrium were established after about 6 h, the adsorbed Hg(II) ion did not significantly change further with time. The dissociation constant (k(d)) values were 72, 63, and 61 mg l(-1) for C H3HgCl, C2H5HgCl and for Hg(II), respectively. The maximum biosorption capa city (q(m)) at pH 7.0 was 79 mg for CH3HgCI, 67 mg for C2H5HgCl and 61 mg f or Hg(II) per g of dried fungal biomass. The affinity order of mercury spec ies was CH3HgCl > C2H5HgCl > and Hg(II). (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.