title: Investigating metal removal potential by Effective Microorganisms (EM) in alginate-immobilized and free-cell forms.
abstract: Metal removal potential of both alginate-immobilized and free-cells of Effective Microorganisms (EM-1™ Inoculant) was investigated in this study. Results revealed that removal of Cr(III), Cu(II) and Pb(II) followed a similar trend where alginate-immobilized EM were more efficient compared to free-cells of EM. For these metals, 0.940, 2.695 and 4.011 mg g(-1) of Cr(III), Cu(II) and Pb(II) were removed compared to only 0.160, 0.859 and 0.755 mg ml(-1) removed by free-cells, respectively. The higher efficiency of alginate-immobilized EM was primarily attributed to the alginate matrix. This was evident when both alginate-immobilized EM and plain alginate beads (without EM), were not significantly different in their removal efficacies. Presence of alginate also enhanced the use of the biosorbents as maximum metal sorption was achieved after 120 min as opposed to only 60 min for free-cells. EM per se in immobilized or free-cell forms did not enhance metal removal efficacy.
authors.affiliation: School of Science, Monash University Sunway Campus, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. Electronic address: adelsuyien@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Adeline Su Yien
authors.initials: ASY
authors.lastname: Ting
authors.affiliation: School of Science, Monash University Sunway Campus, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Nurul Hidayah Abdul
authors.initials: NHA
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.affiliation: School of Science, Monash University Sunway Campus, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Mohamed Ikmal Hafiz Mahamad
authors.initials: MIHM
authors.lastname: Isa
authors.affiliation: School of Science, Monash University Sunway Campus, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Wei Shang
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D008670:Metals / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D008670:Metals; D020723:Glucuronic Acid
keywords: Alginate-immobilization; Effective Microorganisms; Metal removal