title: Removal of lead from aqueous solutions by Penicillium biomass.
abstract: 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).
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Chengdu University of Science and Technology, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Niu
authors.forename: X S
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Volesky