Biosorption of Pb and Ni From Aqueous Solution by Staphylococcus Aureus, Pantoea and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Abstract

     The presence of heavy metal in environment associated with several health problems. The clean up environment from lead (Pb) and Nickel (Ni) represent major challenges. In his study, planktonic and immobilized bacteria were used to purify the water from Pb and Ni in Lab. In the present study, three bacterial isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (isolated from wound swaps), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (isolated from wound swaps) and Pantoea (isolated from urine samples) and identified using biochemical methods to check their ability to biosorb Pb and Ni. Ten PPM of Pb and Ni were added to the deionized distilled water and 107 c.f.u. of planktonic bacteria were used to biosorpe Pb and Ni. Similar experiment was repeated but in this case, the immobilized bacteria (S. aureus, Pantoea, and P. aeruginosa) on silica gel and eggshells were used. It was found that S. aureus decreased the level of Pb and Ni significantly (P<0.05) in planktonic and immobilized form. Pantoea decreases the level of Ni only in planktonic form. This bacteria decreased the level of Pb and Ni significantly when it immobilized on silica gel and eggshells (P<0.05). P. aeruginosa could not decrease the level of Pb and Ni when it was in planktonic form but it can decrease the level of heavy metals in the immobilized form on silica and eggshells (P<0.05). It can be concluded that the studied bacteria can purify water from heavy metals in immobilized status more efficiently than planktonic form.