Biosorptton of heavy metal cations by non‐viable yeast biomass

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Abstract
Granular biosorbent biomass was produced by treating yeast with hot alkali. The granular biomass was capable of accumulating a wide range of heavy metal cations (Fe3+, Cu2+, Cr3+, Hg2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, Co2+, Ag+, Ni2+, and Fe2+) but not an anion (Cr2O7 2‐) or an alkaline‐earth metal (Ca2+). Accumulation within the heavy metal group was selective (Cu2+ > Cr3+ > Cd2+ and Cu2+ > Pb2+ > Ni2+). Biosorption to the granular biomass was rapid. Although the biomass was capable of removing > 99% of zinc, chromium and copper from electroplating wastewater, it was only capable of removing 50 ‐ 60% of chromium from tannery wastewater.