Sorption of cesium from water solutions on potassium nickel hexacyanoferrate-modified Agaricus bisporus mushroom biomass

In order to gain biosorbent that would have the ability to bind cesium ions from water solution effectively, potassium nickel hexacyanoferrate(II) (KNiFC) was incorporated into the mushroom biomass of Agaricus bisporus. Cesium sorption by KNIFC-modified A. bisporus biosorbent was observed in batch system, using radiotracer technique using Cs-137 radioisotope. Kinetic study showed that the cesium sorption was quite rapid and sorption equilibrium was attained within 1 h. Sorption kinetics of cesium was well described by pseudo-second order kinetics. Sorption equilibrium was the best described by Freundlich isotherm and the distribution coefficient was at interval 7,662-159 cm(3) g(-1). Cesium sorption depended on initial pH of solution. Cesium sorption was very low at pH(0) 1.0-3.0. At initial pH 11.0, maximum sorption of cesium was found. Negative effect of monovalent (K+, Na+, NH4 (+)) and divalent (Ca2+, Mg2+) cations on cesium sorption was observed. Desorption experiments showed that 0.1 M potassium chloride is the most suitable desorption agent but the complete desorption of cesium ions from KNiFC-modifed biosorbent was not achieved.