Abstract
There have been a number of studies considering the possibility of removing and recovering heavy metals from diluted solutions. These are due, principally, because of the commercial value of some metals as well as in the environmental impact caused by them. The traditional methods for removing have several disadvantages when metals are present in concentrations lower than 100 mg/l. Biosorption, which uses biological materials as adsorbents, has been considered as an alternative method. In this work, variables like pH and biomass chemical pretreatment have been studied for its effect on the capacity for zinc biosorption by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans. Also, studies to determinate the time for zinc adsorption were carried out. Results indicate that a capacity as high as 82.61 mg of Zn(II)/g of dry biomass can be obtained at a temperature of 25 °C and that the biosorption process occurs in a time of 30 min.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 25 May 1999
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Celaya, R., Noriega, J., Yeomans, J. et al. Biosorption of Zn(II) by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans . Bioprocess Engineering 22, 539–542 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004499900106
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004499900106