Bio-Leaching of Heavy Metals by Aspergillus niger from Mobile-Phone Scrap

Abstract

Abstract The current study aimed to bioleach heavy metals from mobile phone scraps wastes (MPSs) which achieved by environmentally friendly method by employing Aspergillus nigur biomass which isolated from locally eroded mineral sites. Biological parameters of the experiment were: pH (5-2.5), temperature (28°C), ground mineral particle size (75-150 μm) and mineral particle amounts of (MPSs) were 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 grams/litter. The mineral content was analyzed for the recovery of heavy metals The results showed the highest values of the elements at a concentration of 0.5 g/L and pH 3.1 on day 28 of the experiment. The dead fungal biomass was also efficient in removing various heavy metals which charecterized by using XRF device and FT-IR technology was used to find out the active groups in fungal biomass. Electron microscopic imaging also showed the accumulation of metal particles within the fungal hyphae. The results of the current study indicate the possibility of applying Aspergillus niger for its ability to convert (MPSs) metals from solid to liquid phase, as an environmentally friendly and cost-efficient way of biologically leaching heavy metals.