Ca-alginate as a support for Pb(II) and Zn(II) biosorption with immobilized Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The basidio spores of Phanerochaete chryosporium were immobilized in alginate gel beads, and the immobilized spore containing alginate beads were incubated for the growth of fungus. The biosorption of Pb2+ and Zn2+ ions on alginate beads and both immobilized live and heat inactivated fungus was studied from artificial waste waters in the concentrations range of 30–600 mg l−1. The surface charge density of the biosorbents varied with the pH of the medium and the maximum biosorption of heavy metal ions on the biosorbents was obtained between pH 5.0 and 6.0. The biosorption of Pb2+ and Zn2+ on the biosorbents increased as the initial concentration of Pb2+ and Zn2+ ions increased in the medium. Biosorption equilibrium was established about 1 h, the adsorbed heavy metal ions did not significantly change further with time. The maximum biosorption capacity (qm) of alginate beads and both immobilized live and heat inactivated fungus were 230, 282 and 355 mg for Pb2+ and 30, 37 and 48 mg for Zn2+ per gram of dry biosorbents, respectively. The experimental biosorption equilibrium data for Pb2+, and Zn2+ ions were in good agreement with those calculated by Langmuir model. The affinity order of heavy metal ions was Pb2+>Zn2+.