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Cr and Zn biosorption by Aspergillus niger

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Abstract

The dead biomass of Aspergillus niger was studied as biosorbent for removing Zn(II) and Cr(VI) from wastewater. The surface characteristics of the biomass were evaluated based on the point of zero charge (PZC), identification of adsorption sites and structure by scanning electron microscopy. The adsorption capacity was determined by kinetic studies and adsorption equilibrium. The results showed that the PZC is between pH 4.4 and 4.6. At pH values below the PZC, the adsorption of anions occurs by electrostatic attraction. For pH values above the PZC, the surface is negatively charged, and cations are removed. The adsorption of metals by the dead biomass fits the pseudo-first and pseudo-second-order models. Moreover, the equilibrium followed the Langmuir and Freundlich models when the adsorbate concentrations were lower than 50 mg/L, whereas it followed only the Freundlich model at concentrations above 50 mg/L. The biosorption process was characterized by the prevalence of chemical forced between the functional groups present on the biomass surface and the metallic ions. Adsorption capacities of Zn(II) and Cr(VI) were 3.833 and 4.997 mg/L, respectively. Therefore, the biomass of A. niger shows potential application as a biosorbent in the removal of these metal ions.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Improvement Coordination of Higher Education Personal and National Council of Technological and Scientific Development Universal Edict proc. 470628/2006-5 for partial financial support to realization of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sea Science Institute, Federal University of Ceará, Av. Abolição 3207, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil

    Maria do Socorro Vale & Sandra Tédde Santaella

  2. Department of Analytical Chemistry and Physicochemistry, Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Campus do Pici, Bl 940, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil

    Ronaldo Ferreira do Nascimento

  3. Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Tropical Agroindustry National Centre, Rua Dra. Sara Mesquita 2270, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil

    Renato Carrhá Leitão

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Vale, M.d., do Nascimento, R.F., Leitão, R.C. et al. Cr and Zn biosorption by Aspergillus niger . Environ Earth Sci 75, 462 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-016-5343-9

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