title: Uranium(VI) biosorption by dried roots of Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth).
abstract: Uranium uptake by dried roots of Eichhornia crassipes was rapid and the biomass could remove 54% of the initial uranium present within 4 min of contact time. The process was favored at pH 5-6 and was least influenced by temperature. Biosorption data fitted to both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm. The maximum loading capacity obtained was 371 mg U/g dry biomass. Distribution coefficient of 9336 ml/g was observed at a residual concentration of 4.9 mg U/L. Uptake increased at higher dose of biomass and reached a plateau beyond the concentration of 6 g/L. The specific metal ion uptake decreased with increasing initial uranium concentration. Anions (0.1 M) inhibited the uptake and followed the trend acetate > sulphate > nitrate > chloride. However presence of carbonate had no effect on uranium biosorption.
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Bhainsa
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: D'Souza
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000838:Anions / Q000032:analysis; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature; D014501:Uranium / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
chemical_list: D000838:Anions; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive; D014501:Uranium