Comparative efficacy of locally isolated fungal strains for Pb(II) removal and recovery from water

An investigation on lead removal with newly isolated Backusella circina

In this study, the Pb(II) biosorption performance of newly isolated fungal strain, used as a biosorbent, was analyzed. Fungal strain was identified as Backusella circina according to the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Following Pb(II) biosorption, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was performed to compare pristine and Pb(II) biosorped biomass. The effects of pH, fungal biomass amount, temperature, interfering metal ions, initial concentration of Pb(II) and contact time on biosorption performance of B. circina were examined to optimize the biosorption conditions from aqueous solutions. It was observed that optimum Pb(II) biosorption was performed at pH 6.0. Maximum Pb(II) biosorption capacity was found to be 30.69 at 50 mg/L initial concentration of Pb(II) and equilibrium was established after 60 min. It was indicated that the equilibrium data were better fitted to Langmuir isotherm model and it is better to interpret the kinetic data by the pseudo-second-order model. The competitive Pb(II) biosorption capacity was found to be increased in the presence of co-existing metal ions. To the best of knowledge from related literature, Pb(II) biosorption performance of B. circina has not been reported in advance. In conclusion, Pb(II) biosorption performance of B. circina was revealed as an efficient biosorbent in terms of no requirement of modification, ease of preparation and low cost obtainability.