Abstract
The heavy metal pollution in water is a very serious problem which causes toxic effects on humans, animals and plants. The fungi are excellent biosorbent for heavy metals. The fungi used in this study were isolated from the compost and compost yard soil and identified as Aspergillus clavatus, Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus fumigatus and studied for their ability to sequester heavy metals from solution. The sequestration of metals was studied using live and dead biomass. The sequestration of Cd was 6.51 mg/g by the live biomass of Aspergillus spp. The sequestration of Zn, Cd and Pb was 29.37, 27.89 and 30.59 mg/g respectively from mixed metal solutions using the dead mixed biomass. The sequestration of Zn, Cd, Pb and Ni was 6.27, 3.58, 6.51 and 3.91 mg/g respectively from individual metal solutions using dead mixed biomass. In comparison to live biomass, dead biomass was found to be more effective in the sequestration of metals. Biosorption of heavy metals will be very easy and rapid for control of heavy metal pollution.
Keywords: Biosorption. Pollution. Sequestration. Biomass. Heavy metals. Electroplating
