REMOVAL OF LEAD FROM AQUEOUS-SOLUTIONS BY PENICILLIUM BIOMASS

The removal of lead ions from aqueous solutions by adsorption on nonliving Penicillium chrysogenum biomass was studied. Biosorption of the Pb+2 ion was strongly affected by pH. Within a pH range of 4 to 5, the saturated sorption uptake of Pb+2 was 116 mg/g dry biomass, higher than that of activated charcoal and some other microorganisms. At pH 4.5, P. chrysogenum biomass exhibited selectivity for Pb+2 over other metal ions such as Cd+2, Cu+2, Zn+2, and As+3. Sorption preference for metals decreased in the following order: Pb > Cd > Cu > Zn > As. The sorption uptake of Pb+2 remained unchanged in the presence of Cu+2 and As+3, it decreased in the presence of Zn+2, and increased in the presence of Cd+2. (C) 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.