The Potential of Fungal Biomass as Agents for Biosorption of Chromium (VI) Ion from Tannery Effluent

Abstract

Biosorption and bioaccumulation are the overall process by which microorganism tolerate toxic levels of heavy metals in the environment. Thus, filamentous fungi are able to accumulate significant amount of metals from their environment. The potential of fungal biomass as agents for biosorption of chromium (VI) ion from tannery effluent is currently receiving attention. In the present study a total of four isolate of filamentous fungi and Candida sp, were obtained from tannery effluent Mario Jose locate at Challawa industrial estate Kano. These fungi were characterized morphologically, microscopically and screened for their tolerance and uptake capability of chromium (VI) ion in medium. The isolates were identified as viz; Rhizopus nigrican Aspergillus niger and Penicillium sp. Only three of these species were able to survived at 4% concentration of chromium ion solution on modified rice husk medium (MRHM). The results showed that Rhizopus nigricans and Aspergillus niger have better uptake capacity for chromium (VI) ion by these filamentous fungi from aqueous solution. The present study was also determined the maximum removal of chromium (VI) ion that performed by Rhizopus nigricans, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp and mixed culture organisms. The chromium (VI) removal with initial concentration ranging from 1.517mg/l – 0.067, 1.517mg/l – 0.072mg/l and Penicillium sp 1.517mg/l – 0.73mg/l and mixed culture 1.517mg/l – 0.874mg/l. The above studies show Rhizopus nigricans and Aspergillus niger organisms appear to be more effective in biosorption of Cr6+ in effluent using modified agricultural waste in comparison with conventional one’s base on time duration of absorption.