Introduction

Erythrosine (EB, Fig. 1) is a water-soluble cherry-pink anionic xanthene dye. It is used for colouring textiles such as wool, silk and nylon. It is also used as colourant in drugs, cosmetics, cocktails and a variety of food items (Ozsoy and Araman 1993; Tripathi et al. 2004; Virtanen et al. 1999) as well as in printing inks, lipsticks, as a biological stain, a dental plaque disclosing agent and a radio plaque medium (Desiderio et al. 1998; Mailman and Lewis 1987; Ishikawa et al. 2003). Given the extensive use of this dye, it is often found in the industrial wastewater. This highly toxic dye can cause allergic reactions in eyes, irritation of skin and upper respiratory tract, severe headaches, nausea, waterborne diseases like dermatitis, etc. It can affect thyroid functions due to presence of iodine in the molecule, which may be released upon its degradation. It can be one of the causes of atopic diseases (Uysal and Aral 1998). Consumption of this dye can also prove to be fatal, as it is carcinogenic in nature and can lead to tumours (Borzelleca et al. 1987; Sasaki et al. 2002). This visible pollutant serves as a health threat to the mankind and also can be toxic to aquatic life (Banat et al. 1996; Clarke and Anlike 1980). Knowing the toxicity of EB, its removal from wastewater has attracted attention in order to minimize the ecological and health risks. Among several physical and chemical methods, the method of adsorption onto activated carbon has been found to be superior but uneconomical as its regeneration and reactivation procedures are expensive. (Hu and Srinivasan 2001; Chakraborty et al. 2005; Rozada et al. 2003) On the other hand, its photochemical and biochemical degradation too is not recommended due to formation of toxic by-products (Tonogai et al. 1978).

Fig. 1
figure 1

Chemical structure of the dye erythrosine B

Full size image

Waste fungal Rhizopus arrhizus biomass has been successively used for removal of azo dyes from aqueous solution (Salvi and Chattopadhyay 2017). As an extension of this study, the present work was aimed at studying the adsorption behaviour of dye EB onto this spent biomass. The proficiency of the said biomass for the removal of toxic dye EB from aqueous solution was performed in order to develop an eco-friendly and economic method. The effect of various parameters such as pH, biomass dosage, contact time, various modifications to the biomass and initial dye concentration were studied, and results obtained have been presented in this communication.

Materials and methods

Dye

Erythrosine B was obtained from M/s Merck. It is listed in the US as FD&C Red No. 3, in the EU as E 127 and also in many other countries as a food colouring dye.

Biosorbents

Spent biomass: The spent R. arrhizus biomass referred as SB (1) in this paper (a by-product from the biotransformation studies, Salvi and Chattopadhyay 2017) was washed with distilled water, boiled in acetone, squeezed and dried in the oven at 100 °C till constant weight. It was then ground to powder and sieved through a standard sieve to obtain uniform size of biomass (420 μ) which was used for biosorption studies.

Fresh biomass: Grown (72 h) R. arrhizus fungal active biomass was harvested, washed with distilled water, boiled in acetone, squeezed, dried and then ground to powder using a mortar and a pestle and sieved to obtain uniform size (420 μ) and referred as fresh biomass, FB (10).

Modified biomasses: SB and FB (2.5 g) were agitated with 250 ml of various solutions (details mentioned below) for 6 h on rotary shaker (100 rpm). After each chemical pre-treatment, the biomass was washed with distilled water until the pH was close to neutral, dried in the oven to a constant weight and referred as modified biomasses as follows: SB-0.1 M HCl (2) [SB treated with 0.1 M HCl]; SB-0.01 M HCl (3) [SB treated with 0.01 M HCl]; SB-0.1 M AA (4) [SB treated with 0.1 M Acetic acid]; SB-0.01 M AA: (5) [SB treated with 0.01 M Acetic acid]; SB-0.01 M NaOH (6) [SB treated with 0.01 M NaOH]]; SB-10% HCHO/DW (7) [SB treated with 10% HCHO/DW]; SB-10% HCHO/0.1 M HCl (8) [SB treated with 10% HCHO/0.1 M HCl]; SB-10% HCHO/0.1 M NaOH (9) [SB treated with 10% HCHO/0.1 M NaOH]; FB-0.01 M HCl (11) [FB treated with 0.01 M HCl]. These biomasses were used as low-cost adsorbents for the removal of EB dye from aqueous solution.

Preparation of dye solution

The stock solution (2000 mg/L) of dye EB was prepared in distilled water and diluted to get the desired concentration range from 50 to 2000 mg/L dye solution.

Instrumentation

Agitation was carried out on DBK-digital orbital shaker. The UV absorbance was measured on Helios α Spectronic Unicam spectrophotometer. The elemental analyzer, Vario Micro Cube, Elementar, Germany, was used for elemental analysis. The IR spectra were recorded on FTIR-4100 model, Jasco, Japan. The optical images were captured with a charge-coupled device, Axiocam MRC (Zeiss), camera at 600 × and 1500 × (oil immersion) magnification on Carl Zeiss Axioscop microscope.

Batch experiments

Laboratory batch sorption study was carried out using different variables such as effect of pH, ionic strength, modified biomass, biomass dose, contact time and initial dye concentration to evaluate the biosorption efficiency of the biomass for removal of EB dye. The experiment was performed in a 100-ml conical flask containing 25 ml dye solution at room temperature (24 ± 2 °C). The required amount of biomass was added to the flask and agitated on a rotary shaker (100 rpm) for a desired time period. The aqueous layer was filtered through filter paper, initial few ml were discarded and the absorbance of the aqueous phase was measured at dye maxima λmax 525 nm. The measured absorbance values of solutions before and after equilibrium were used to calculate the per cent colour removal (% CR) by the biomass using Eq. (1) where Ai and Af are the initial and final absorbance of the dye. Data represent an average of three independent experiments.

$$\% \;{\text{CR }} = \, \left[ {\left( {{\text{Ai}}{-}{\text{Af}}} \right)/{\text{Ai}}} \right] \, \times \, 100$$
(1)

The amount of dye adsorbed on adsorbent at equilibrium (q, mg/g) was calculated from Eq. (2) where q is the dye uptake (mg/g), V (L) is the volume of dye solution, Ci and Cf are the initial and final concentration of dye in mg/L and M is the dry weight of the biomass in g.

$$q \, = \, ({\text{Ci}}{-}{\text{Cf}})V/M$$
(2)

Adsorption kinetics

In batch experiments the rate of sorption of a dye on the biomass was evaluated using different kinetic models: the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order kinetics and intra-particle diffusion models. The pseudo-first-order Lagergren model (Lagergren 1898) is expressed by the Eq. (3) where q and qt (mg/g) are the amount of dye adsorbed at equilibrium time and at time t (min), respectively. The Lagergren rate constant of the pseudo-first-order adsorption, k1 (mg/g min), is calculated from the slope and log q from the intercept of the plot log (q − qt) against t.

$$\log (q \, {-} \, qt) = \log \, q \, - (k_{1} / \, 2.303)t$$
(3)

The pseudo-second-order kinetic model developed by Ho et al. (Ho and McKay 1999) is expressed by Eq. (4) where t is the contact time (min), q and qt (mg/g) are amounts of dye adsorbed at equilibrium and at time t, k2 is the pseudo-second-order constant (g/mg min) and k2q2 = h is the initial adsorption rate (mg/g min). The second-order rate constant k2 and q were calculated from the intercept and slope of the plot of t/q against t.

$$t/qt \, = \, 1/k_{2} q^{2} + \, t/q$$
(4)

The intra-particle diffusion model (Weber and Morris 1963) is expressed by the Eq. (5) where qt (mg/g) is the amount of dye adsorbed, kp (mg/g min1/2) is a rate constant and C (mg/g) is the intra-particle diffusion constant. A plot of qt and the square root of time gives the rate constant (slope of the plot) and the intra-particle diffusion constant, i.e., intercept of the line which is directly proportional to the boundary layer thickness.

$$qt = {\text{kp }}t^{1/2} + \, C$$
(5)

Adsorption isotherms

The experimental equilibrium data were analysed using Langmuir (Langmuir 1918) and Freundlich (Freundlich 1906) models. The linear form of Langmuir isotherm is represented by the Eq. (6) where Cf (mg/L) is the concentration of dye remaining in the solution at equilibrium, q (mg/g) is the amount of dye adsorbed per unit weight of biomass at equilibrium, qm (mg/g) is the maximum sorption capacity corresponding to monolayer sorption on the surface and KL (L/g) is a Langmuir constant indicating affinity of dye towards the biomass.

$${\text{Cf }}/q = 1/qmK_{L} + {\text{Cf}}/qm$$
(6)

RL is a dimensionless separation factor (McKay et al. 1982) which is an essential characteristic of Langmuir equation defined by the Eq. (7) where Ci (mg/L) is the initial dye concentration. The value of RL indicates the type of isotherm to be either unfavourable (RL > 1), linear (RL = 1), favourable (0 < RL < 1) or irreversible (RL = 0).

$$R_{\text{L}} = 1/1 + K_{\text{L}} {\text{Ci}}$$
(7)

The linear form of Freundlich isotherm is shown by the Eq. (8) where KF (mg/g) and 1/n (dimensionless) are Freundlich isotherm constants indicating the adsorption capacity and the adsorption intensity, respectively, and also indicates the favourability of the adsorption process.

$$\log \;q = \log \, K_{\text{F}} + 1/n \, \log {\text{Cf}}$$
(8)

Effect of salt concentration

The experiment was carried out using 100 mg/L dye solution on SB (100 mg) in the presence of salt with different concentration, 0–10% w/v for 2 h at room temperature. The extent of bisorption was assayed by spectrophotometer.

Desorption studies

Several dye-loaded biomass samples were obtained from the sorption experiments with dye EB (100 mg/L) on SB (100 mg) under optimized condition. The dye-loaded biomasses were then agitated separately with 25 ml distilled water and aqueous solutions of 0.1 M HCl, 0.1 M NaOH and 0.1 M NaCl for 30 min. The cell debris was removed by filtration, and the % colour desorption was estimated by spectrophotometer.

Biomass surface characterization

The surface characterization of the biomass was done as described in the previous report (Salvi and Chattopadhyay 2017, Supplementary information).

Results and discussion

Effect of influencing parameters on dye removal

The effect of adsorbent dose on the removal of dye EB was investigated by varying the biomass dose (SB) from 25 to 200 mg. From Fig. 2, it was revealed that the % removal efficiency of SB increased significantly with increase in the biomass dose. This might be due to greater surface area and the availability of more adsorption sites. The optimum dose was found to be between 100 and 150 mg of SB. As a result, 100 mg of biomass was selected for further biosorption studies.

Fig. 2
figure 2

Effect of biomass dose on removal of EB (dye concentration: 100 mg/L, 4 h)

Full size image

The pH is an important parameter since it affects the activities of functional groups present on the biomass surface and also influences the availability of dye molecules for biosorption process. The decolorization of aqueous EB solution was carried out at pH range 2–10. From Fig. 3, it was observed that the  % dye adsorbed on spent R. arrhizus biomass was nearly the same in the pH range 4–8. The maximum  % removal was 98.7 at pH 6–8. This might be due to increase in the electrostatic attraction between negatively charged dye anions and positive biosorbent surface binding sites which favoured the removal of dye anions. As a result, further biosorption studies were carried out at the natural aqueous dye solution pH (pH ~ 7.0).

Fig. 3
figure 3

Effect of pH on removal of EB (dye concentration: 100 mg/L, biomass: 100 mg, 4 h)

Full size image

The dye in wastewater is accompanied by a large amount of salt, which likely interferes with the dye biosorption (Karcher et al. 2001). The effect of salt concentration (NaCl, 0–10%) on biosorption of dye EB (conc. 100 mg/L) onto SB (100 mg) was tested. From Fig. 4, it was noticed that an increase in the ionic strength of solution showed almost negligible effect on % colour removal of dye EB, indicating that Cl− ions did not compete strongly with the binding adsorption sites on the biomass. An elevated ionic strength also did not significantly interfere with the binding of dye molecule to the biomass. Thus, indicating the coexistence of salt in solution played a positive role in adsorption of EB onto spent R. arrhizus biomass (Tang et al. 2000).

Fig. 4
figure 4

Effect of salt on removal of EB (dye concentration: 100 mg/L, biomass: 100 mg, 4 h)

Full size image

The batch sorption studies were conducted using SB (100 mg) over different time periods (from 5 to 180 min) using three different initial dye concentrations (50, 100 and 200 mg/L) at natural pH. The results are summarized in Fig. 5. The EB uptake had a sharp increase at the beginning of the adsorption. After 10 min, ~ 97% of adsorption was observed in all the three initial dye concentrations. The initial high adsorption rate was apparently attributed to the abundance of adsorption sites on the biomass probably via surface functional groups available for dye adsorption. So that dye molecules interacted easily with these sites and the sorption gradually increased till equilibrium. The sorption became less efficient with the gradual occupancy of these sites, remained almost constant and attained a plateau. The plot specified that equilibrium time for all the concentrations was independent of initial dye concentration, and within 1 h maximum adsorption was attained by the biomass. For confirmed sufficient saturation, contact time was further extended and experiments were carried out for 2 h.

Fig. 5
figure 5

Effect of contact time on removal of EB (dye concentration: 50, 100 and 200 mg/L, biomass: 100 mg)

Full size image

The efficiency of biomass can be manipulated by surface modification of fungal biomass using acid, base, salt, etc. The cost of this approach is typically lower because the modification agents used are less expensive. The effect of various modified biomasses on biosorption of EB appeared in Fig. 6. It was observed that, biosorption of dye EB on SB was almost similar to that of acid-treated biomasses, viz. SB-0.1 M HCl, SB-0.01 M HCl, SB-0.1 M AA, SB-0.01 M AA, SB-10% HCHO in DW, SB-10% HCHO in 0.1 M HCl and FB-0.1 M HCl. This might be due to the binding of H+ ions on native biomass after acid treatment and change in the surface electronegetivity which favoured the adsorption of anionic dye EB. Sorption was decreased in the alkali pre-treated spent biomasses. This could be due to the formation of negative charged biomass surface may exert electrostatic repulsion between the anionic EB and the negatively charged sites on fungal biomass. Significant differences in the colour removal after decolourization process with SB, all acid-treated SB and FB-0.01 M HCl was seen when compared with the control dye solution. Therefore, for practical purpose further biosorption studies were carried out with SB and FB-0.01 M HCl biomass only.

Fig. 6
figure 6

Effect of modified biomasses on sorption of EB (dye concentration: 100 mg/L, biomass: 100 mg, 2 h)

Full size image

As the adsorptive rate varies directly with concentration of the adsorbate, the effect of concentration of adsorbate on % colour removal was studied onto 100 mg of SB and FB-0.01 M HCl with the dye concentration range from 50 to 2000 mg/L at natural pH. As shown in Fig. 7, it was observed that the % removal efficiency decreased from 99.3 to 96.3% with increase in the initial dye concentration from 50 to 1000 mg/L and thereafter decreased drastically to 74.3% at 2000 mg/L dye concentration. The removal efficiency depended on the number of active sites present on the biomass surface, and at fixed dose of biomass the numbers of active sites are limited. When the initial concentrations are increased with the same biomass dose, the active sites become fewer for adsorption, thereby decreasing the removal efficiency. At low dye concentration, the availability of sorption sites are relatively more so that dye adsorbed readily. But at high dye concentration, the available adsorption sites became saturated, causing decreased in colour removal efficiency with an increased in the dye uptake capacity which signified good efficiency of R. arrhizus biomass. The experimental sorption capacity (q) of R. arrhizus biomass was found to be ~ 250 mg/g at initial dye conc. 1000 mg/L with both the biosorbents.

Fig. 7
figure 7

Effect of dye EB concentration—biomasses SB, FB-0.01 M HCl: 100 mg, 2 h

Full size image

Kinetic modelling

The three different kinetic models, viz. pseudo-first-order kinetic model, pseudo-second-order kinetic model and intra-particle diffusion models were applied to the experiment data with respect to three different initial dye concentrations (50, 100 and 200 mg/L), and the corresponding regression coefficients for each expression were compared.

The correlation coefficients obtained from plot of log (q − qt) versus t for pseudo-first-order kinetic model for all three different initial dye concentrations were found to be very low (data not shown). The calculated q values were not in good agreement with the experimental values, indicating a poor fit of pseudo-first-order model to the experimental data.

In pseudo-second-order kinetic model the second-order rate constant k2 and q were calculated from the intercept and slope of the plots of t/q against t. Figure 8 shows the applicability of the pseudo-second-order kinetic model to the experimental data. From Table 1, it was observed that with an increasing initial dye concentration, an increased in the equilibrium adsorption capacity, q and the adsorption rate h occurred but the rate constant k2, decreased. The calculated q values were much closer to the experimental data for all three initial dye concentrations. Much higher values of R2 (R2 = 1.0) and the calculated q values for all three initial dye concentrations, confirms the applicability of the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and described that chemisorptions might be the rate-limiting step involving valence forces through sharing or the exchange of electrons between biosorbent and sorbate. Higher h values indicated that the adsorption of EB from aqueous solution was very fast and therefore SB is suitably used as an effective adsorbent for the removal of EB from aqueous solution.

Fig. 8
figure 8

Pseudo-second-order kinetic plots for

Full size image
Table 1 Pseudo-second-order kinetic parameters
Full size table

The kinetic data was also analysed by using the intra-particle diffusion kinetic model. The plots qt versus t1/2 for all three dye concentrations was found to be linear (Fig. 9). All the three plots did not pass through the origin thereby signifying involvement of intra-particle diffusion kinetic model but it was not the only rate-limiting step.

Fig. 9
figure 9

Intra-particle diffusion kinetic plots for various dye EB concentration onto SB various dye EB concentration onto SB

Full size image

Adsorption isotherms

Equilibrium adsorption isotherms describe the nature of the interaction between the adsorbate molecules and the adsorbent surface and the capacity of biomass to remove dyes under given set of conditions.

The data obtained from the influence of dye concentration on biosorption percentage at room temperature was analysed by two well-known isotherm models, viz. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. These models often provide some insight into the sorption mechanisms, the surface properties and affinities of the sorbent. Applicability of these models was compared by judging the correlation coefficients (Fig. 10a, b).

Fig. 10
figure 10

a Adsorption isotherms of EB onto SB. b Adsorption isotherms of EB onto FB-0.01 M HCl

Full size image

Langmuir isotherm theory predicts monolayer coverage of adsorbate on the homogeneous adsorbent surface. In this model, sorption is assumed to take place at specific homogeneous sites within the adsorbent and there is no interaction among the sorbed sites. Once a dye molecule occupies a site, no further adsorption can take place at that site. The plots between Cf/q versus Cf showed a straight line confirmed the validity of the Langmuir isotherm model, with slope equal to 1/qmax and intercept equal to 1/(KLqmax). As summarized in Table 2, these linear isotherms displayed high regression coefficient value closer to unity (< 0.99) indicating good fit of experimental adsorption data with Langmuir isotherm model showing monolayer coverage of EB on both SB and FB-0.01 M HCl biomass and predicted almost similar maximum sorption capacity (qmax) 355.87 and 363.64 mg/g, respectively. Indicating chemisorptions process in which a more specific binding of the adsorbate on the adsorbent is involved. For Langmuir adsorption isotherm, the separation factor, RL, a dimensionless constant is essential characteristic to investigate the dye-adsorbent system. In both the cases, RL values were found to be positive and less than unity (0 < RL < 1) indicating a highly favourable adsorption of EB under the studied conditions.

Table 2 Adsorption isotherm parameters
Full size table

Freundlich isotherm describes heterogeneous systems and characterized by the heterogeneity factor, KF, a Freundlich isotherm constant and 1/n is Freundlich exponent related to adsorption intensity. KF gives the rough indication of capacity of the adsorbent, and 1/n < 1 indicates the favourability of biosorption process under studied conditions. The experimental results were found to be consistent with Freundlich model. The linear plots of log q versus log Cf showed that the adsorption onto SB and FB-0.01 M HCl biomass surfaces followed Freundlich isotherm model, and from the slope and intercept of the plots, the values of n and KF were calculated.

Thus, the biosorption of EB onto R. arrhizus biomass was fitted with both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models suggesting the hybrid sorption mechanism may be due to homogeneous and heterogeneous distribution of active sites on the biomass surface. The values of R2 were found to be less than unity which confirmed the ongoing adsorption process is favourable.

Adsorption capacities of other sorbents reported in the literature

Several others biosorbents were used for the removal of EB, and their maximum adsorption capacities cited in the literature are depicted in Table 3. The efficiency of R. arrhizus biomass was found to be high compared to other biosorbents except Sugarcane bagasse. Sugarcane bagasse showed good adsorption capacity of 500 mg/g, under highly alkaline conditions (pH 9.0) and at high temperature, 55 °C. The adsorption was decreased to 333 mg/g with decreased in temperature to 35 °C. The removal capacities for EB are higher in mesoporous graphitic activated carbon prepared from Bael Tree (576.12 mg/g), anaerobic granular sludge activated carbon (416.66 mg/g), activated de-oiled mustard, (3043.98 mg/g at pH 3.5) which need to be processed before it can be employed as an adsorbent and clay montmorillonite (578.03 mg/g at pH 7.5). The present biomass furnished maximum monolayer adsorption capacity (355.87–363.64 mg/g) at natural pH ~ 7.0 and at ambient temperature, 24 ± 2 °C, showing the feasibility of Rhizopus arrhizus biomass as a practical alternative for dye decolorization.

Table 3 Adsorption capacities of other sorbents reported in the literature for dye EB removal
Full size table

Desorption studies

Desorption studies help to elucidate the mechanism of adsorption. It was observed that almost negligible amount of dye was desorbed with neutral pH water and acidic solutions. However, ~ 46% of dye was desorbed with 0.1 N aq. NaOH (Fig. 11). Desorption at higher pH may be explained on the basis of electrostatic repulsion between the negatively charged sites on the fungal biomass and the anionic dye molecules (Namasivayam et al. 1996, 2001).

Fig. 11
figure 11

Desorption of EB (dye-loaded SB—100 mg; dye concentration—100 mg/L; desorbing solutions − 25 ml; agitation time—30 min)

Full size image

Column studies

The continuous flow biosorption experiments were conducted, and the results on biosorption of EB onto SB were described through the S-shaped experimental curves called breakthrough curve. Operation of the column was stopped when the effluent dye concentration exceeded ~ 50% of its initial concentration. The breakthrough curve showed the loading behaviour of EB from the solution onto sorbent (SB) with respect to operating variables, viz. influent flow rate, dye concentration and bed height. The variation of solute concentration in the aqueous solution (normalized with the initial concentration of the dye in the solution) was plotted against eluted volume (V, ml) and presented in Fig. 12. The amount of dye at breakthrough volume (the volume at which dye concentration in the effluent reached 1 mg/L) and the dye concentration in the effluent at ~ 50% of its initial concentration were calculated. The breakthrough capacity, Q0.5 (50%), i.e., amount of dye retained by the biomass can be expressed as the difference between the initial amount of dye passed and the amount of dye in the effluent at its ~ 50% initial concentration. The biosorption capacity of dye in column was calculated at different flow rates, initial dye concentrations and bed heights, and results are presented in Table 4.

Fig. 12
figure 12

Effect of various parameters on column studies on biosorption of EB using SB—effect of flow rate—2, 4 and 6 ml/min, dye concentration 50 mg/L, BH 5 cm; effect of dye concentration10, 50 and 100 mg/L, BH 5 cm, flow rate 4 ml/min; effect of bed height 5, 6.5 and 8.5 cm, dye concentration 100 mg/L, flow rate 4 ml/min)

Full size image
Table 4 Effect of various parameters on column biosorption studies of dye EB on SB
Full size table

The effect of flow rate, (2, 4, 6 ml/min) of dye concentration 50 mg/L at a constant bed height of 5 cm was evaluated. As expected, the data showed faster and steeper breakthrough curve at higher flow rate. As the flow rate increases, the residence time in the bed decreases which resulted in lower bed utilization. Therefore, the breakthrough volume and the bed capacity will decrease with increasing flow rate. For lower value of flow rate, the contact time is longer and hence the interaction between the dye and the biomass is greater which leads to higher dye sorption. On the other hand, for higher flow rate, the contact time is shorter and the dye sorption is also lower due to lesser interact ion.

The effect of initial dye concentration, 10, 50 and 100 mg/L at flow rate 4 ml/min and at a constant bed height 5 cm was evaluated. The change in the initial dye concentration had a significant effect on the breakthrough curve. The larger the initial dye concentration, the faster the breakthrough indicating a lower treated volume; however, the dye loadings is larger indicating the diffusion process is concentration dependent. In addition, at lower dye concentrations the breakthrough curves were lengthened, while steeper breakthrough curve at higher concentrations signifies a lesser dye solution treatment capability. This trend indicates that the higher dye concentration could saturate the biosorbent more quickly. At lower concentration, the smaller mass transfer caused the treatment of a higher volume of dye solution during the adsorption process. Results demonstrated increase in biosorption capacity with the solute concentration.

Accumulation of dyes in fixed bed column is largely dependent on the quantity of biomass inside the column. The effect of varying the height of the bed 5, 6.5, 8.5 cm filled with SB was investigated at a constant flow rate, 4 ml/min and inlet EB concentrations, 100 mg/L. From the breakthrough profiles, it was observed that the breakthrough volumes were increased with bed heights. This might be due to increase in sorption sites with increase in the bed height leading to a larger sorption capacity of the biomass.

Thus initial concentration, flow rate and bed height significantly influenced the dye removal in the continuous column process.

Conclusion

The present study investigated the efficacy of spent fungus R. arrhizus for removal of dye erythrosine B from aqueous solution at natural pH value of the dye solution and at ambient temperature with easy operation. It furnished maximum monolayer sorption capacity 355.87 mg/g which is comparable with the maximum adsorption capacity, 363.64 mg/g obtained with 0.01 M HCl-treated fresh R. arrhizus biomass. This observation suggested that the R. arrhizus biomass could be used as a low-cost, natural, safe, effective, eco-friendly and a promising source of biosorbent for industrial wastewater treatment in cleaning up dye pollution.