Studies on Removal of Toxic Metals from Wastewater Using Pseudomonas Species

Toxic trace metals can be hazardous even at very low concentrations. When they get into water supplies and aqueous environments the health of plants and animals, as well as humans, can be impaired. Toxic trace metals are commonly found in wastewater and removing them efficiently presents a unique challenge. The discharge of heavy metals into aquatic ecosystems has become a matter of concern in India over the last few decades. These pollutants are introduced into the aquatic systems significantly as a result of various industrial operations.Biosorption experiments for Chromium (Cr (VI)), Copper (Cu (II)), Cadmium (Cd (II)) and Nickel (Ni (II)) were investigated in this study using nonliving biomass of different Pseudomonas species. The Langmuir and Freundlich models for the different biosorbent were applied and tested. Maximum Cr (VI) removal reached around 40% and its removal increased with the increase of Cr (VI) influent. Cu (II) removal was at its maximum value in presence of Cr (VI) as a binary metal, which reached 95% of its influent concentration. Concerning to Cd (II) and Ni (II) similar removal ratios were obtained, since it was ranged between 36 to 90% and their maximum removal were obtained in the case of individual Cd (II) and Ni (II).