Biosorption of Pb(II) and Cu(II) from aqueous solutions by pretreated biomass of Neurospora crassa

Sodium hydroxide pre-treated Aspergillus flavus biomass for the removal of reactive black 5 and its toxicity evaluation

The present study was focused on the removal of Reactive Black 5 (RB5) from aqueous solution using pre treated Aspergillus flavus as a biosorbent. Pre-treatment of fungal biomass with 0.1 M sodium hydroxide facilitated the removal of dye effectively when compared to untreated fungal biomass. Optimum biosorption conditions for RB5 removal was determined as a function of dye concentration (50-400 mg/L), biosorbent concentration (100-500 mg/L), incubation time (1-7hrs), pH (3-8) and temperature (20-50 °C). At the optimum conditions, the maximum removal efficiency of RB5 achieved by NaOH pretreated A. flavus was 91%. The dye removal was studied kinetically and it obeys the pseudo-second order model and the experimental equilibrium data well fitted the Langmuir isotherm indicating monolayer adsorption of dye molecules on the biosorbent. The thermodynamic parameters such as a change in free energy (ΔG), enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS) were calculated and negative values of ΔG suggested that the dye removal process was spontaneous at all temperatures. Furthermore, the values of ΔH revealed that the adsorption process was endothermic. Recovery of RB5 from the fungal biomass was effective using 0.1 M Na₂CO₃ as an eluent. The interaction of adsorbate with biosorbent was analyzed using UV-Vis and FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM and XRD analyses. Phytotoxicity and microbial toxicity studies revealed the non-toxic nature of the treated dye solution. Hence, the fungal biomass pretreated with NaOH was efficient in decolorizing RB5 as well as composite raw industrial effluent generated from dyeing industries.

Microbial Remediation: A Promising Tool for Reclamation of Contaminated Sites with Special Emphasis on Heavy Metal and Pesticide Pollution: A Review

Heavy metal and pesticide pollution have become an inevitable part of the modern industrialized environment that find their way into all ecosystems. Because of their persistent nature, recalcitrance, high toxicity and biological enrichment, metal and pesticide pollution has threatened the stability of the environment as well as the health of living beings. Due to the environmental persistence of heavy metals and pesticides, they get accumulated in the environs and consequently lead to food chain contamination. Therefore, remediation of heavy metals and pesticide contaminations needs to be addressed as a high priority. Various physico-chemical approaches have been employed for this purpose, but they have significant drawbacks such as high expenses, high labor, alteration in soil properties, disruption of native soil microflora and generation of toxic by-products. Researchers worldwide are focusing on bioremediation strategies to overcome this multifaceted problem, i.e., the removal, immobilization and detoxification of pesticides and heavy metals, in the most efficient and cost-effective ways. For a period of millions of evolutionary years, microorganisms have become resistant to intoxicants and have developed the capability to remediate heavy metal ions and pesticides, and as a result, they have helped in the restoration of the natural state of degraded environs with long term environmental benefits. Keeping in view the environmental and health concerns imposed by heavy metals and pesticides in our society, we aimed to present a generalized picture of the bioremediation capacity of microorganisms. We explore the use of bacteria, fungi, algae and genetically engineered microbes for the remediation of both metals and pesticides. This review summarizes the major detoxification pathways and bioremediation technologies; in addition to that, a brief account is given of molecular approaches such as systemic biology, gene editing and omics that have enhanced the bioremediation process and widened its microbiological techniques toward the remediation of heavy metals and pesticides.

Removal of lead ions (Pb2+) from water and wastewater: a review on the low-cost adsorbents

The presence of lead compounds in the environment is an issue. In particular, supply water consumption has been reported to be a significant source of human exposure to lead compounds, which can pose an elevated risk to humans. Due to its toxicity, the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) have classified lead (Pb) and its compounds as probable human carcinogens. The European Community Directive and World Health Organization have set the maximum acceptable lead limits in tap water as 10 µg/L. The USEPA has a guideline value of 15 µg/L in drinking water. Removal of lead ions from water and wastewater is of great importance from regulatory and health perspectives. To date, several hundred publications have been reported on the removal of lead ions from an aqueous solution. This study reviewed the research findings on the low-cost removal of lead ions using different types of adsorbents. The research achievements to date and the limitations were investigated. Different types of adsorbents were compared with respect to adsorption capacity, removal performances, sorbent dose, optimum pH, temperature, initial concentration, and contact time. The best adsorbents and the scopes of improvements were identified. The adsorption capacity of natural materials, industrial byproducts, agricultural waste, forest waste, and biotechnology-based adsorbents were in the ranges of 0.8-333.3 mg/g, 2.5-524.0 mg/g, 0.7-2079 mg/g, 0.4-769.2 mg/g, and 7.6-526.0 mg/g, respectively. The removal efficiency for these adsorbents was in the range of 13.6-100%. Future research to improve these adsorbents might assist in developing low-cost adsorbents for mass-scale applications.

Bioimmobilization of lead by Bacillus subtilis X3 biomass isolated from lead mine soil under promotion of multiple adsorption mechanisms

In this study, a lead-resistant bacterium, Bacillus subtilis X3, was used to prepare a lead bioadsorbent for immobilization and removal of lead in lead solution. The lead shot precipitate was analysed by scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The adsorbed lead was mainly mineralized to form Pb₅(PO₄)₃OH, Pb₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂ and Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl; however, other mechanisms that can also promote the mineralization of lead should not be ignored. For example, Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ on the cell wall surface were exchanged with Pb²⁺ in solution, which confirmed that the ion-exchange process occurred before mineralization. Moreover, adsorption bridging caused by extracellular polymeric substances also accelerated the further aggregation of lead, and the biomass was encapsulated by lead gradually. Hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl and amine groups were not observed in lead mineral crystals, but the complexation between lead and these groups still benefited the mineralization of lead. The valence of Pb(II) was not changed after mineralization, which indicated that the biosorption process was not a redox reaction. Finally, biosorption occurred on the outer surface of the cell, but its specific surface area was relatively small, limiting the amount and efficiency of biosorption.

Microbial strategy for potential lead remediation: a review study

The extensive exploitation and usage of lead compounds result in severe lead(II) pollution in water and soil environments, even in agricultural land, threatening the health of animals and humans via food chains. The recovery and remediation of lead(II) from water and soil environments have been intensively concerned in recent years. Compared with the traditional physic-chemistry treatment, microbial remediation strategy is a promising alternative to remediate lead(II)-contaminated environments due to its cost-effective and environmentally-friendly properties. Various microorganisms are capable of removing or immobilizing lead(II) from water and soil environments through bioaccumulation, precipitation or accelerated transformation of lead(II) into a very stable mineral, resulting in significant effects on lead(II) mobility and bioavailability. In the present review, we investigated a wide diversity of lead(II) bioremediation induced by different microbes and its multi-mechanisms. Moreover, we also discussed the progress and limitations, summarized the common rules of lead(II)-microbe interaction, and evaluated the environmental significance of microbes in lead biogeochemistry process. In addition, we further deliberated the feasibility and potential application of microbes in developing cost-effective, eco-friendly bioremediation or long-term management strategy for lead(II) contaminated repositories.

Efficient removal of Cd(ii) and Cu(ii) from aqueous solution by magnesium chloride-modified Lentinula edodes

To enhance metal biosorption capacity, magnesium chloride-modifiedLentinula edodes(MMLE) was prepared by treatingLentinula edodeswith a mixture of NaOH, ethanol and MgCl₂.

The synergism of temperature, pH and growth phases on heavy metal biosorption by two environmental isolates

In real environmental applications, such as heavy metal bioremediation, microorganisms are generally not kept at their optimum growth conditions; therefore, it is imperative to investigate their heavy metal removal performance under diverse environmental conditions. The present study aims to investigate the effects of pH, temperature and growth phases on the removal of Cu(2+) and Cr(6+) by two environmental isolates identified as Ochrobactrum intermedium LBr and Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34. Results showed that cells in logarithmic phase presented better biosorption capacity than cells in stationary phase for both isolates. The Cr(6+) metal was removed more efficiently by live O. intermedium LBr than dead cells; while dead C. metallidurans CH34 biosorbed better than live ones. It was also found that the pH and temperature affected the biosorption capacity. The optimum temperatures were determined to be 37°C and 27°C, and the optimum pH values were 6 and 7 for O. intermedium LBr and C. metallidurans CH34, respectively. Additionally, both microorganisms preferentially adsorbed Cu(2+) in Cu(2+)/Cr(6+) mixtures. The main mechanism of adsorption was determined to be through carboxylic, hydroxyl, and amino functional groups.

Protection against Cu(II)-induced oxidative stress and toxicity to Chlorella vulgaris by 2,2'-Bipyridine-5,5'-dicarboxylic acid

In this study, we evaluated the role of 2,2'-bipyridine-5,5'-dicarboxylic acid (Bpy-COOH) in protecting Chlorella vulgaris from the oxidative stress and toxicity induced by Cu(II). Both in vivo and in vitro tests were performed. Different addition orders of Bpy-COOH and Cu(II) were tried in the former, whereas different Bpy-COOH concentrations were used in both experiments. The in vivo experiments showed that the production of reactive oxygen species in C. pyrenoidosa treated by the addition of Bpy-COOH and Cu(II) in three orders were all significantly less than that in cases treated with only Cu(II). In vitro tests indicated that peroxidase-like complexes could be formed between Bpy-COOH and Cu(II). Based on these results, it could be concluded that the use of Bpy-COOH could significantly decrease Cu(II) toxicity to algal cells by forming peroxidase-like complexes.

Efficacy and reusability of alginate-immobilized live and heat-inactivated Trichoderma asperellum cells for Cu (II) removal from aqueous solution

Cu(II) removal efficacies of alginate-immobilized Trichoderma asperellum using viable and non-viable forms were investigated with respect to time, pH, and initial Cu(II) concentrations. The reusability potential of the biomass was determined based on sorption/desorption tests. Cu(II) biosorption by immobilized heat-inactivated T. asperellum cells was the most efficient, with 134.22mg Cu(II) removed g(-1) adsorbent, compared to immobilized viable cells and plain alginate beads (control) with 105.96 and 94.04mg Cu(II) adsorbed g(-1) adsorbent, respectively. Immobilized non-viable cells achieved equilibrium more rapidly within 4h. For all biosorbents, optimum pH for Cu(II) removal was between pH 4 and 5. Reusability of all biosorbents were similar, with more than 90% Cu(II) desorbed with HCl. These alginate-immobilized cells can be applied to reduce clogging and post-separation process incurred from use of suspended biomass.

Removal of Cd(II) from aquatic system using Oscillatoria sp. biosorbent

Biosorption of Cd(II) ions from aqueous solutions by native and dried Oscillatoria sp. Cyanobacterium biomass was investigated in the batch mode. The Oscillatoria sp. was prepared from Molecular and Cell Laboratory of University of Mazandaran and grown in BG-11 medium. A comparison of Cd(II) adsorption properties of dried with native Oscillatoria sp. biomass was made, the dried one showed a higher biosorption capacity and faster kinetic. The influence of solution pH, contact time, biomass concentration, initial metal ion concentration, and presence of coions using dried Oscillatoria sp. biomass as well as pretreatment on the biosorption capacity of the biomass were studied. Various pretreatments of Oscillatoria sp. increased biosorption of Cd(II) at pH 7 in comparison with native biomass. However, heating at 100°C in a water bath showed significant improvement in Cd(II) biosorption capacity. The experimental biosorption data was well fitted to the Freundlich model compared to the Langmuir model, and the amount of Cd(II) removed from solution increased with increasing Cd(II) concentration. In addition, the dried biomass was investigated for Cd(II) removal from the simulated real sample containing about 14 mg/l Cd(II) at pH 7, under the same experimental condition.

Biosorption of Pb(II) by biomass of KC-2: kinetic, equilibrium and characteristic studies

Performance and characteristics of biosorption of Pb(II) had been studied in a batch system using the fungal strain biomass, KC-2. The biosorption performance was investigated by analysing the effects of such factors as the initial pH, initial Pb(II) concentration, and contact time at 303 K. The maximum Pb(II) adsorption was obtained at pH 5.0. The experimental data were described by the pseudo first-order, pseudo second-order and intraparticle diffusion kinetic models, and were closely followed the pseudo second-order kinetic model. The equilibrium experimental data were well fitted to Langmuir model and the maximum biosorption capacity was 84.03 mg g(-1). The adsorption mechanism was examined by FTIR, SEM and EDAX analysis. Results indicated that carboxylic, hydroxyl and amine groups were involved in the biosorption and ion exchange mechanism existed.

Equilibrium studies of copper ion adsorption onto palm kernel fibre

The equilibrium sorption of copper ions from aqueous solution using a new adsorbent, palm kernel fibre, has been studied. Palm kernel fibre is obtained in large amounts as a waste product of palm oil production. Batch equilibrium studies were carried out and system variables such as solution pH, sorbent dose, and sorption temperature were varied. The equilibrium sorption data was then analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) and Temkin isotherms. The fit of these isotherm models to the equilibrium sorption data was determined, using the linear coefficient of determination, r(2), and the non-linear Chi-square, chi(2) error analysis. The results revealed that sorption was pH dependent and increased with increasing solution pH above the pH(PZC) of the palm kernel fibre with an optimum dose of 10g/dm(3). The equilibrium data were found to fit the Langmuir isotherm model best, with a monolayer capacity of 3.17 x 10(-4)mol/g at 339K. The sorption equilibrium constant, K(a), increased with increasing temperature, indicating that bond strength between sorbate and sorbent increased with temperature and sorption was endothermic. This was confirmed by the increase in the values of the Temkin isotherm constant, B(1), with increasing temperature. The Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm parameter, free energy, E, was in the range of 15.7-16.7kJ/mol suggesting that the sorption mechanism was ion exchange. Desorption studies showed that a high percentage of the copper was desorbed from the adsorbent using acid solutions (HCl, HNO(3) and CH(3)COOH) and the desorption percentage increased with acid concentration. The thermodynamics of the copper ions/palm kernel fibre system indicate that the process is spontaneous and endothermic.

Remoção de Pb(II) de soluções aquosas por Biossorção em R. opacus

Nesse estudo foi avaliada a capacidade de biossorção de íons chumbo em solução aquosa pela bactéria Rhodococcus opacus. Avaliou-se em batelada o efeito do pH da solução, concentração da biomassa, tempo de contato e concentração inicial do metal. A cinética adequou-se melhor ao modelo de pseudo-segunda ordem. Empregaram-se as isotermas de Langmuir e Freundlich para representar o processo de sorção no equilíbrio. O valor da capacidade máxima de captação (q max) obtida pelo modelo de Langmuir foi de 94,34 mg g-1. No ensaio de biossorção competitiva a remoção do chumbo foi afetada pela presença de outros metais na solução.

Coconut coir as biosorbent for Cr(VI) removal from laboratory wastewater

A high cost-effective treatment of sulphochromic waste is proposed employing a raw coconut coir as biosorbent for Cr(VI) removal. The ideal pH and sorption kinetic, sorption capacities, and sorption sites were the studied biosorbent parameters. After testing five different isotherm models with standard solutions, Redlich-Peterson and Toth best fitted the experimental data, obtaining a theoretical Cr(VI) sorption capacity (SC) of 6.3 mg g(-1). Acid-base potentiometric titration indicated around of 73% of sorption sites were from phenolic compounds, probably lignin. Differences between sorption sites in the coconut coir before and after Cr adsorption identified from Fourier transform infrared spectra suggested a modification of sorption sites after sulphochromic waste treatment, indicating that the sorption mechanism involves organic matter oxidation and chromium uptake. For sulphocromic waste treatment, the SC was improved to 26.8+/-0.2 mg g(-1), and no adsorbed Cr(VI) was reduced, remaining only Cr(III) in the final solution. The adsorbed material was calcinated to obtain Cr(2)O(3,) with a reduction of more than 60% of the original mass.

Removal of copper from aqueous solution using newspaper pulp as an adsorbent

Newspaper pulp was found to be a potential adsorbent for removal of copper from aqueous medium. Detail adsorption study of Cu on newspaper pulp was investigated. Batch adsorption study was carried out as a function of contact time, adsorbent dose, temperature (303-323 K). The experimental data was analyzed using Freundlich, Langmuir, Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) and Redlich-Peterson (R-P) isotherm models. It was found that Freundlich, Langmuir and R-P models fitted well. pH variation study revealed that the adsorption increased with increase in pH of the solution. Maximum loading capacity was found to be 30 mg g(-1) at 20 mg L(-1) of initial Cu concentration. Adsorption data were analyzed using two kinetic models, Lagergren first order and pseudo second order. It was observed that pseudo second order represented the best correlation. Langmuir isotherm was used to obtain the thermodynamic parameters such as free energy (DeltaG degrees ), enthalpy (DeltaH degrees ) and entropy (DeltaS degrees ) of adsorption. The negative value of free energy and positive value of enthalpy change indicate that the adsorption of Cu on newspaper pulp is a spontaneous process and endothermic. The results of activation energy also confirmed that the adsorption of Cu on newspaper pulp is physical in nature. Present investigation emphasized that newspaper pulp may be utilized as a low cost adsorbent for copper removal.

Enhancement of bioremediation by Ralstonia sp. HM-1 in sediment polluted by Cd and Zn

In this study, the potential for the application of the bioaugmentation to Cd and Zn contaminated sediment was investigated. A batch experiment was performed in the lake sediments augmented with Ralstonia sp. HM-1. The degradation capacity of 18.7 mg-DOC/l/day in the treatment group was bigger than that of the blank group (4.4 mg-DOC/l/day). It can be regarded as the result of the reduction of the metal concentration in the liquid phase due to adsorption into the sediments, with the increased alkalinity resulting from the reduction of sulfate by sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB). The removal efficiency of cadmium and zinc in the treatment group was both 99.7% after 35 days. Restrain of elution to water phase from sediment in the Ralstonia sp. HM-1 added treatment group was also shown. In particular, the observed reduction of the exchangeable fraction and an increase in the bound to organics or sulfide fraction in the treatment group indicate its role in the prevention of metal elution from the sediment. Therefore, for bioremediation and restrain of elution from the sediment polluted by metal, Ralstonia sp. augmentation with indigenous microorganism including SRB, sediment stabilization and restrain of elution to surface water is recommended.

Biosorption of copper(II) by Marrubium globosum subsp. globosum leaves powder: effect of chemical pretreatment

The study was aimed at determining the effect of chemical pretreatment on copper(II) biosorption by Marrubium globosum subsp. globosum leaves. The uptake capacity of the biomass was increased by chemical pretreatment when compared with the raw biomass. The results of biosorption experiments, carried out at the conditions of 50 mg l(-1) initial metal concentration and pH 5.5, showed that pretreating the biomass with alkali solutions (laundry detergent, sodium hydroxide and sodium bicarbonate, 0.5 M) improved the biosorption capacity of biomass (45.90, 45.78 and 43.91%, respectively) compared with raw biomass. Pretreatment with sulfuric and nitric acid solutions, 0.5 M, increased the biosorption capacity of biomass by 11.82 and 10.18%, respectively, while there was no considerable change in the biosorption capacity of biomass (0.35%) after pretreatment with formic acid solution, 0.5 M. Furthermore, sodium chloride and calcium chloride, 0.5 M, pretreatments resulted in the improvement in biosorption capacity of biomass (31.38 and 26.69%, respectively). FT-IR analysis revealed that hydroxyl and carboxyl functional groups were mainly responsible for copper(II) biosorption.

Effect of pre-treatment and supporting media on Ni(II), Cu(II), Al(III) and Fe(III) sorption by plant root material

In this work Paspalum notatum root material was used to elucidate the influence of acid leaching pre-treatment and of sorption medium on metal adsorption. Ground P. notatum root was leached with 0.14M HNO(3). Leached root material (LRM) and non-leached root material (NLRM) were employed to flow sorption of Ni(II), Cu(II), Al(III) and Fe(III) in 0.5M CH(3)COONH(4) medium at pH 6.5. For LRM the sorption was also studied in 0.5M KNO(3) medium. The acid pre-treatment increased the sorption capacity (SC) for all ions studied. For the KNO(3) medium, Cu(II) and Fe(III) sorption was higher than in CH(3)COONH(4) and the type of the Ni(II) isotherm's model changed. The Freundlich model was the most representative isotherm model to describe metallic ions sorption. The (1)H NMR spectra showed differences between LRM and NLRM and the acid-basic potentiometric titration elucidated that acid-leaching procedure affected the root material sorption sites once only two predominant sorption sites were found for LRM (phenolic and amine, both able cations sorption) and five sorption sites (two carboxylic, amine and two phenolic) were founded for NLRM.

Biosorption of Reactive Black 5 dye by Penicillium restrictum: the kinetic study

Biosorption of Reactive Black 5 (RB 5) dye onto dried Penicillium restrictum biomass was studied with respect to pH, contact time, biosorbent and dye concentrations. The effect of temperature on the biosorption efficiency was also carried out and the kinetic parameters were determined. Optimum initial pH, equilibrium time and biomass concentration for RB 5 dye were found to be 1.0, 75 min and 0.4 g dm(-3) at 20 degrees C, respectively. The maximum biosorption capacities (q(max)) of RB 5 dye onto dried P. restrictum biomass were 98.33 and 112.50mg (g biomass)(-1) at 175 mg dm(-3) initial dye concentration at 20 and 50 degrees C, respectively, and it was 142.04 mg (g biomass)(-1) at 200 mg dm(-3) initial dye concentration at 35 degrees C. The results indicate that the biosorption process obeys a pseudo-second-order kinetic model.

Study on the characterization of lead (II) biosorption by fungus Aspergillus parasiticus

The lead (II) biosorption potential of Aspergillus parasiticus fungal biomass has been investigated in a batch system. The initial pH, biosorbent dosage, contact time, initial metal ion concentrations and temperature were studied to optimize the biosorption conditions. The maximum lead (II) biosorption capacity of the fungal biosorbent was found as 4.02 x 10(-4) mol g(-1) at pH 5.0 and 20 degrees C. The biosorption equilibrium was reached in 70 min. Equilibrium biosorption data were followed by the Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin- Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm models. In regeneration experiments, no significant loss of sorption performance was observed during four biosorption-desorption cycles. The interactions between lead (II) ions and biosorbent were also examined by FTIR and EDAX analysis. The results revealed that biosorption process could be described by ion exchange as dominant mechanism as well as complexation for this biosorbent. The ion exchange mechanism was confirmed by E value obtained from D-R isotherm model as well.

Cadmium exposure from the cement dust emissions: a field study in a rural residence

The cement dust is one of the causes of pollution in the environment. In the present study, the cadmium concentrations of soil and plant specimens taken from a rural area exposed to cement factory emissions were determined and also the blood concentrations and sensitivity conditions in humans residing in this rural area were investigated. The 108 soil (36 for control) and plant specimens were collected from eight different directions of the cement plant located in Cukurhisar town in Eskişehir city. Blood samples of the individuals residing in this area were taken from 258 subjects (258 for control) following a physical examination, and patch tests were also applied. The results show that the cadmium concentrations of the soil and plant specimens taken from different places in different directions of the factory were higher than in the control areas. The physical examination of subjects did not reveal results different from those of the control group except for the diagnosis of contact dermatitis. The analysis of venous blood samples showed that cadmium concentrations were found to be within the reference values given for both groups, but higher in the subjects (p<0.001). According to the results of patch tests, sensitivity to cadmium was found to be more frequent for the subject group than the control group (p<0.05). Those results show that, although clinical tools revealed no toxic effects for the subject, except contact dermatitis, the cement plant increases cadmium pollution on the surrounding environment.

Biosorption potential of the macrofungus Ganoderma carnosum for removal of lead(II) ions from aqueous solutions

This paper reports the utilization of a macro-fungus Ganoderma carnosum as a biosorbent material for the removal of lead(II) ions from aqueous solutions. The biosorption potential of G. carnosum was investigated by batch experiments. The influences of physico-chemical parameters like pH, biosorbent dosage, contact time and initial metal ion concentration were evaluated. The biosorption equilibrium was attained in 10 minutes. Equilibrium biosorption data were analyzed by the Freundlich, Langmuir and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm models. Maximum biosorption capacity of biosorbent was found to be 22.79 mg g(-1) (1.10 x 10(-4) mol g(-1)) at the pH value of 5.0. The biosorbent was regenerated using 10 mM HCl solution, with up to 96% recovery, and reused four times in biosorption-desorption cycles successively. Biosorption efficiency of G. carnosum was also examined in a real effluent. The mechanism of the biosorption was investigated with FTIR, SEM and EDAX analysis and the findings suggested that the biosorption process involved in ion exchange as dominant mechanism as well as complexation. The ion exchange mechanism was also confirmed by the mean free energy value obtained from D-R isotherm model.