Comparison biosorption of heavy metal ions from single and multi metal synthetic solution by living Pleurotus ostreatus

The presence of heavy metals in the wastewater become a concern due to their toxicity effect to human health and environmental hazards. Conventional physical and chemical treatments are restricted because of their technical and economical constraints. One of the possible solutions is introducing biosorption method in heavy metals removal. The present study aim to evaluate the potential of Pleurotus ostreatus (P.ostreatus) fungus in the removal of Fe(II), Pb(II), Zn(II) and Cu(II) ions from single and multi metal synthetic solution. Throughout the study, the best operating treatment process were found when the pH of the solution was above 4 with 80.52, 45.20, 12.47 and 2.88% removal for Fe(II), Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II); agitation speed of 150 rpm and temperature of 25°C. It was found that the removal of heavy metals is lower from single than multi metal solution. The biosorption preference order of P.ostreatus is Fe(II) > Cu(II) > Pb(II) > Zn(II). The results obtained validate that biosorption by P.ostreatus is a potential method in replacing conventional heavy metal removal and in the wastewater treatment.