Novel composite biosorbent from Bacillus cereus for heavy metals removal from aqueous solutions

• Published in: Biotechnology, biotechnological equipment Vol. 33; no. 1; pp. 730 - 738
• Main Authors: Todorova, Kostadinka, Velkova, Zdravka, Stoytcheva, Margarita, Kirova, Gergana, Kostadinova, Sonia, Gochev, Velizar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sofia Taylor & Francis 01-01-2019; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: Activated carbon; Alginic acid; Aqueous solutions; Bacillus cereus; Beads; Bentonite; Biomass; biosorption; Cadmium; Heavy metals; Immobilization; immobilized biosorbents; Lead; Mechanical properties; Mercury; Mercury (metal); Mercury compounds; Process parameters; Sodium alginate
• ISSN: 1310-2818; 1314-3530
• DOI: 10.1080/13102818.2019.1610066

Waste biomass from Bacillus cereus immobilized in sodium alginate and co-immobilized with activated carbon or with bentonite into alginate gel was studied for Pb(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) removal from aqueous solutions. The composite biosorbent consisting of waste B. cereus biomass co-immobilized with activated carbon into alginate beads was selected as the most prospective for heavy metals removal. Immobilization increased both the removal capacity and the mechanical strength of the biosorbent. Major process parameters were optimized and maximum removal efficiency of 92.13% was reached for Pb(II) ions at pH 5.0, biosorbent dosage 2 g/L, temperature 25 °C, agitation speed 120 rpm for 120 min.