Removal of heavy metals using bacterial bio-flocculants of Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas sp.

Bibliographic Information
Authors: Azzam A.M.; Tawfik A.
Journal: Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Ltd.
Publication Date: 27 October 2015
Volume / Issue: Volume 23 / Issue 4
Pages: 288–294
ISSN: 16486897
DOI: 10.3846/16486897.2015.1068781
Scopus: View on Scopus
Document Type: Article
Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access
Authors and Affiliations
Azzam A.M., Environmental Researches Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Imbaba, Giza, 30-12411, Egypt; Tawfik A., Department of Environmental Engineering, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), New Borg El Arab-City, Alexandria, 21934, Egypt
Abstract
Bio-flocculants produced by Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas sp. were evaluated as flocculating agents for the removal of Cu (II), Pb (II) and Cd (II) from chemical and textile wastewater industries. Both bio-flocculants were very effective for removal of heavy metals at a dosage not exceeding 0.1 mg/ml. However, the removal efficiency of heavy metals was dependant on initial concentration and type of bio-flocculants. 84.0% of Cu2+ and 99.5% of Pb2+ were removed from industrial wastewater using Bacillus sp. Bio-flocculant resulting residual values of 28.5 and 1.13μg/l respectively in the treated effluent. Lower removal efficiencies of 70.4% for Cu2+ and 97.8% for Pb2+ occurred using Pseudomonas sp. bioflocculant. Nevertheless, Pseudomonas sp. bio-flocculant achieved a substantially higher removal efficiency of Cd2+ (93.5%) as compared to 72.9% using Bacillus sp. Based on these results bio-flocculants are considered as a viable alternative for the treatment of industrial wastewater containing heavy metals. © 2015 Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU) Press.
Keywords
Bacillus sp.; bio-flocculants; heavy metals; Pseudomonas sp; wastewater; Bacteria; Bacteriology; Cadmium compounds; Copper compounds; Efficiency; Effluents; Flocculation; Industrial water treatment; Lead compounds; Textile industry; Wastewater treatment; Bacillus sp; Flocculating agents; Industrial wastewaters; Initial concentration; Removal efficiencies; Textile wastewater; Lead removal (water treatment)
Citation Information
Scopus Citations: 31
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