Potential application of thermophilic bacterium Aeribacillus pallidus MRP280 for lead removal from aqueous solution

Bacteria used for application of lead (Pb) removal is usually kept under suboptimal growth conditions. Certain application of Pb removal may be carried out under different condition, such as under aqueous and high temperature conditions. It is, therefore, of interest to examine the Pb removal capacity of the bacteria under adverse environmental conditions. In the present study, Aeribacillus pallidus MRP280, a lead-tolerant thermophilic bacterium was used as an absorbent for the removal of Pb from aqueous solution. The Pb removal and uptake capacity of living and non-living bacterial cells of A. pallidus MRP280 was investigated in 100 mg/L Pb solution. The optimum condition was examined based on several analytical parameters, including temperature, pH, contact time, and cell density. Biosorbent analysis and characterization was carried out using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)-Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). The results showed that the maximum Pb removal of 96.78 ± 0.19% and 88.64 ± 0.60% were obtained using living and non-living biomass, respectively at 55 °C, pH 6, OD₆₀₀0.5 for 100 min. Meanwhile, the maximum uptake capacity of 86.47 ± 1.32 mg/g and 85.31 ± 1.37 mg/g by living and non-living cells was reached at 55 °C, pH 6, OD₆₀₀0.25 for 60 min. Moreover, Pb removing activity was facilitated by the biosorption and bioaccumulation process. Overall, it is shown that A. pallidus MRP280 is effective when applied as biosorbent in removing Pb from contaminated wastewater at high temperatures.