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Removal of lead from solution by the non-viable biomass of the water fern Azolla filiculoides

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Abstract

Non-viable biomass of the aquatic fern, Azolla filiculoides, removed up to 93 mg lead/g biomass from solution. Lead removal varied from 30% of the initial lead concentration at pH 1.5 to approximately 95% at pH values of 3.5 and 4.5. Lead removal decreased to 30% of the initial lead concentration if the lead concentration was initially over 400 mg/l. Lead removal remained at approximately 90% between 10 °C and 50 °C. Biomass concentration (4–8 mg/l) had little effect on lead removal. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, R.S.A

    Douglas Sanyahumbi, John R. Duncan, Ming Zhao & Robert van Hille

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  1. Douglas Sanyahumbi
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  2. John R. Duncan
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  3. Ming Zhao
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  4. Robert van Hille
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Sanyahumbi, D., Duncan, J.R., Zhao, M. et al. Removal of lead from solution by the non-viable biomass of the water fern Azolla filiculoides. Biotechnology Letters 20, 745–747 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005386703592

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005386703592

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