Heavy metal resistances and biosorptive behaviors of Paenibacillus polymyxa: Batch and column studies

Continuous fixed-bed column and batch biosorption studies were conducted to examine the effectiveness of Paenibacillus polymyxa as an adsorbent for the removal of copper and nickel from aqueous solutions. Experimental data obtained has been fitted well with Langmuir isotherm model and also exhibited very high correlation coefficients which confirmed suitability of the model and biosorption process. Differences among batch and continuous isotherms were observed; the maximum uptake capacity of Cu(II) and Ni(II) in batch system was about 49.8 (mg/g) and 35.02 (mg/g), respectively. Furthermore, the effects of heavy metals on micro-organism growth were studied.