Heavy Metal Biosorption potential of Aspergillus and Rhizopus sp. isolated from Wastewater treated soil

Two isolates belonging to the predominant genera Aspergillus and Rhizopus isolated from agricultural field treated with sewage/ industrial effluents were selected for the biosorption potential evaluation of Cr and Cd. Pretreated, dead biomass of above fungi was used for bioadsorption experiment at pH value 4.5 with the biomass, 1-5 mg in a 100 ml metal solution of different concentration (2, 4, 6 and 8 mM) with a contact time of 18 hrs and agitation, 120 rpm. Bioadsorption of Cr ranged from 6.20-9.5 mg/g of dry mass at one or other initial metal concentrations by Aspergillus and Rhizopus sp. The bioadsorption of Cd was ranged from 2.3-8.21mg/g. On the comparative basis Rhizopus sp. could bioadsorbed higher concentration of both metals as compared to Aspergillus sp. Bioadsorption of Cd and Cr was influenced by initial metal concentration and nature of organism. The findings revealed that fungi of metal polluted sites showed higher metal tolerance and bioadsorption capacity of chromium and cadmium. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 9(1) 2005: 123-126