Biosorption Characteristics of Aspergillus Niger Spores for Removal of Pb (II) Ions from An Aqueous Solution

Different from the conventional biosorbent, our preliminary results show that the fungal spores have the biosorption capacity to remove the heavy metals ions. In this study, the biosorption of Pb(II) ions onto inactive A. niger spores were investigated in a batch biosorption system. The effect of initial pH, conctact time, initial Pb(II) ions concentration and biosorbent dosage was systematically investigated. The biosorption equilibrium was attained within 120 min. The maximum biosorption capacities of Pb(II) ions was found to be 45.95mg/g. The optimum of Pb(II) ions uptake was at pH5.0, 2.0g/L biosorbent dosage at 30°C. The significant changes of the spores’ surface with or without-loading Pb(II) ions were showed by Scanning Electron Microscope. The results indicated that A. niger spores are a suitable biosorbent for the removal of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution. Keywords-fungi; Aspergillus niger; spores; lead; biosoption.