Biosorption Characteristics of Pseudomonas Alcaligenes Biomass and its Use for Lead Removal

In the present study we reported the feasibility of Pseudomonas alcaligenes biomass as an alternative biosorbent to remove Pb(II) metallic ions from environmental and industrial wastewater. The ability of Pseudomonas alcaligenes to remove the metallic ions was investigated by using batch biosorption procedure. The effects such as, pH, biosorbent dosage, sorbate concentrations and sorbate-sorbent contact time on the adsorption capacities of Pseudomonas alcaligenes were studied. Biosorption equilibriums were rapidly established in about 60 min and the adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second order kinetics model. The equilibrium adsorption data fitted well with Langmuir isotherm. The maximum Pb(II) adsorption capacity determined from Langmuir isotherm were 65.42 mg/g Pseudomonas alcaligenes at pH 6.0, at 27°C and shaker speed 150 rpm, respectively. The carboxyl, hydroxyl and amino groups of the Pseudomonas alcaligenes were involved in chemical interaction with the Pb(II) ions depicted by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) results. The study points to the potential of new use of Pseudomonas alcaligenes biomass as an effective sorbent for the removal of Pb(II) from environmental and industrial wastewater.