The adsorption of humic acid fractions by fungal biomass

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Abstract
Ion exchange fractionation of humic acid yielded a highly coloured hydrophobic acid and hydrophilic neutral fractions; these were studied for their removal by Rhizopus arrhizus. The bioadsorptive capacity of the fungus was influenced by pH, biomass concentration and temperature. Adsorption energies were calculated and found to be within the physical adsorption range. The ability for complete desorption of both fractions further suggested that the predominant adsorptive mechanism was physical bonding. The fungal cell walls were shown to be totally responsible for the uptake.