Biosorption of inorganic mercury and alkylmercury species on to Phanerochaete chrysosporium mycelium

The biosorption of inorganic mercury (HgCl2), methyl mercury (CH3HgCl) and ethyl mercury (C2H5HgCl) onto the dry biomass of Phanerochaete chryosponum was studied from aqueous media which concentrations in the range of 5-500 mg l(-1). The surface charge density varied with pH, and the concentration of mercury species adsorbed significantly increased from pH 3.0 to maximum levels at pH 8.0. The biosorption of mercury ions by Phanerochaete chrysosporium increased as the initial concentration of Hg(II) ion increased in the adsorption medium. A biosorption equilibrium were established after about 6 h, the adsorbed Hg(II) ion did not significantly change further with time. The dissociation constant (k(d)) values were 72, 63, and 61 mg l(-1) for CH3HgCl, C2H5HgCl and for Hg(II), respectively. The maximum biosorption capacity (q(m)) at pH 7.0 was 79 mg for CH3HgCI, 67 mg for C2H5HgCl and 61 mg for Hg(II) per g of dried fungal biomass. The affinity order of mercury species was CH3HgCl > C2H5HgCl > and Hg(II). (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.