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Absorption and Reduction of Chromium by Fungi
D V Sriharsha1, R Lokesh Kumar1, Savitha Janakiraman2
1Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Bangalore University, Jnana Bharathi Campus, Bangalore, 560056, India.
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
|September 2, 2020
Summary
Fungi isolated from chromium-contaminated sites were used to create a biosorbent for removing chromium from industrial wastewater. Aspergillus niger demonstrated the highest chromium absorption and reduction efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Biosorption is a key technology for treating industrial effluents contaminated with chromium.
- Fungal biosorbents offer a sustainable approach for heavy metal remediation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and identify chromium-resistant fungi from contaminated sites.
- To develop and evaluate a fungal biosorbent for chromium removal from industrial wastewater.
- To assess the absorption and reduction efficiency of fungal biosorbents for chromium.
Main Methods:
- Fungal isolation from chromium-contaminated effluents.
- Cultivation of fungal isolates (Aspergillus and Trichoderma) on luffa sponge.
- Biosorbent preparation using actively growing and heat-killed fungi.
- Chromium absorption and reduction quantification using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry and UV-Visible Spectrophotometry.
Main Results:
- Actively growing fungal biosorbents exhibited higher chromium absorption (21%-25%) and reduction (28%-35%) compared to heat-killed ones within 24 hours.
- A biosorbent developed with Aspergillus niger showed significant chromium absorption and reduction, reaching 85%-100% efficiency.
- Fungal isolates demonstrated resistance to 10 mM chromium on agar medium.
Conclusions:
- Fungal biosorbents, particularly those utilizing Aspergillus niger, are effective for chromium remediation from industrial effluents.
- The use of actively growing fungi on a luffa sponge matrix enhances biosorption efficiency.
- This study highlights the potential of fungal biosorbents for sustainable wastewater treatment.
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