BIOSORPTION OF COOPER (II) BY IMMOBILIZED DEAD BIOMASS OF SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE

At present study the biosorption potential of dead biomass of Saccharomyces cerevisiae immobilized in Ca-alginate and co-immobilized in Ca-alginate and bentonite and Ca-alginate and activated carbon for removal of Cu ( II) from model solutions was investigated. The highest biosorption potential demonstrated the biosorbent of S. cerevisiae co-immobilized in Ca-alginate and activated carbon. The effect of pH, biosorbent concentration, contact time and initial metal concentration on the Cu ( II) removal was studied. The optimal pH value for metal removal was 4,0 and biosorption equilibrium was reached for about 30 min. The increasing of biosorbent concentration increased metal removal by the selected biosorbent. At the equilibrium maximum metal uptake q(max) 47,04 mg/g was reached. The biosoption data fitted better to the Langmuir adsorption model.