REMOVAL OF CADMIUM (II) FROM DILUTE AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS BY FUNGAL BIOMASS

Abstract
The metal adsorption behavior of nine different species of fungi was investigated. Both batch and kinetic reactors were used to determine the heavy metal, exemplified by cadmium(II), adsorption capacity and the rate of the adsorption reaction. The metal adsorption capacity was assessed at various pH value. Fresh and freeze-dried fungal biomass exhibit similar adsorption behavior. The adsorption capacity of fungal biomass is also compared with other adsorbents such as activated carbon, oxide, soil and hydroxyapatite. The results clearly show that fungal biomass can be as effective as other metal adsorbents.