Pollution of the environment with heavy metals, mainly as a result of industrialisation, has become a challenge for scientists and environmental health practitioners. Keywords: biosorption, Bacillus, silica, copper, cobalt The presence of silica led to an initial increase in both copper and cobalt biosorption, though higher concentrations of silica resulted in a decrease in metal uptake by Bacillus strains. Maximum biosorption was obtained at pH 6.5 and 5.5 for copper and cobalt solutions, respectively. The Bacillus strains removed the copper and cobalt more efficiently from solutions of low concentration (0.002 M and 0.07 M) than from solutions of high concentration (0.2 M) over a 48 h period. Test solutions contained 0.002 M, 0.07 M and 0.2 M of either copper or cobalt ions. The effects of pH, contact time, initial ion concentration and the presence of co-cations were studied to ascertain the optimal conditions for biosorption to take place. These were then grown at 37(☐.5)✬ in a trace element-agitated liquid media. IIDepartment of Extraction Metallurgy, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 526, Wits 2050, South Africaīacillus strains were isolated from a mine tailings dump in Nigel town, south-east of Johannesburg. IDepartment of Chemical Technology, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 17011, Doornfontein, 2028, South Africa NP Dlamini I BB Mamba I, * AF Mulaba-Bafubiandi II The effect of silica concentration on the biosorption of Cu 2+ and Co 2+ from aqueous solutions mediated by strains of Bacillus
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |