Related Experiment Videos
Copper removal from aqueous solution using Aspergillus niger mycelia in free and polyurethane-bound form
1Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, kolishka@yahoo.com
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
|June 21, 2001
Summary
Immobilized Aspergillus niger mycelia significantly enhance copper removal from solutions. This biomaterial approach offers a highly efficient method for remediating copper contamination.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Bioremediation
- Mycology
Background:
- Copper contamination poses environmental risks.
- Bioremediation using fungal mycelia is a sustainable approach.
- Aspergillus niger is a known biosorbent for heavy metals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate copper (Cu2+) removal by Aspergillus niger B-77.
- To compare the efficacy of free vs. immobilized mycelia.
- To assess the performance in a column system.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Aspergillus niger B-77 mycelia, free and immobilized on polyurethane foam.
- Conducted experiments with 0.5 mM CuSO4.5H2O solutions.
- Employed a column system to evaluate removal efficiency.
Main Results:
- Immobilized mycelia demonstrated a three-fold increase in copper uptake compared to free mycelia.
- Column system achieved over 99% copper removal efficiency before breakthrough.
- Demonstrated high biosorption capacity for copper ions.
Conclusions:
- Immobilization significantly enhances the biosorption capacity of Aspergillus niger for copper.
- The immobilized mycelia system is highly effective for copper removal from aqueous solutions.
- This method presents a promising strategy for industrial wastewater treatment.