Biosorption of Lead by Active Biomass of Fungi isolated from Lead Polluted Effluent and Soil

Background and Objective: Lead is one of the heavy metals which releases into water and soil resources through industrial wastes and poses serious harmful effects on human health. This study was conducted to determine the biosorption capacity of lead by active biomass of lead resistant fungi. Materials and methods: In this study the lead –resistant fungi were isolated from effluent of Zanjan Lead and Zinc factory and lead biosorption capacities of isolated fungi were studied by biosorption experiments. A collection of fungi colony was isolated in SDA media and then every colony was cultured in separate media. The fungi colonies were identified via morphological characteristics and Lacto phenol Caten Blue. The MIC of fungi was determined and their lead biosorption capacities were measured by culturing the fungi in SDB media that were polluted with ۵۰-۲۰۰ mg/L of lead. Results: The isolated fungi were one Spp. of Rhizopus, two Spp. of Penicillium and one Spp. of Aspergillus. The MIC of Rhizopus was ۲۵۰۰ and for others was ۳۰۰۰ mg/L. The maximum lead biosorption capacities were ۵۱.۵, ۱۹.۲, ۲۵.۶ and ۱۲.۵ (mg per g of dry weight of fungi biomass) for Rhizopus, two Spp. of Penicillium and Aspergillus respectively. Conclusion: The maximum lead biosorption capacity of Penicillium and one Spp. of Aspergillus was higher than ۷۰%, thus biosorption of lead is an efficient method for treatment of lead polluted effluents.

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Key words: Lead , Fungal active biomass , Biosorption , Zanjan