Adsorption of Cu2+ by charcoal, waste biomass, Pseudomonas putida and Penicillium sp.

Abstract

Wood charcoal and waste biomass collected from municipal waste-water-treatment plant, Pseudomonas futida and Penicillium sp. were used to remove Cu2+ from acidic waste water. The adsorption kinetics and the CU2+ uptake capacity was found to be maximum in the case of Pseudomonas putida. and was affected by parameters such as pH, initial metal ion concentration, biomass amount and temperature. The adsorption phenomena obeyed Freundlich adsorption isotherm. Theoretical equilibrium concentration calculated by using freundlich adsorption isotherm were found to be in good agreement With the observed values. Theoretical number of stages required to reduce the Cu2  concentration from the solution was predicted by using adsorption isotherm The rate-determining step was found to be diffusion controlled.