Adsorption of Heavy Metals on Biologically Activated Brown Coal Sludge

Abstract

Adsorption of cooper (II) and zinc (II) ions from aqueous solutions on a biologically activated brown coal sludge was investigated. Four families of adsorbents were prepared from the brown coal sludge bya microorganism’s activity. There were used microscopic fungi such as Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus clavatus, Penicillium glabrum and Trichoderma viride. Prepared sorbents were capable of removing Cu (II) and Zn (II). The sorption isotherm has been constructed and the specific metal uptake and the maximum capacity of the adsorbent have been determined.

Keywords

• heavy metals
• coal sludge
• microfungi
• sorption