Biosorption of metals by a waste biomass

The binding of several metals by waste biomass of Streptomyces noursei was investigated. With respect to the binding capacity, the following order was observed: Ag > Cr > Pb > Cu > Zn > Cd > Co > =Ni. The sorption of metal ions increased with the increasing initial concentration of metal. The adsorption equilibrium of copper, lead and chromium sorption, and silver sorption at low concentration can be described by the Freundlich and Langmuir models. The possibilities for desorbing the metals from loaded biomass and the repeated use of biomass were investigated. The influence of various ions in water on metal sorption was tested. The metal capacity and selectivity of metal binding by biomass are important qualities for practical use.