Biosorption of lead by Kluyveromyces marxianus immobilized in alginate beads.

The uptake and recovery of Pb (II) ions were investigated by using sodium alginate beads. Biosorption experiments are carried out in batch mode. The experimental results showed that the beads were effective in removing Pb (II) ions from solution. Biosorption equilibrium was approached within 16hrs. Pseudo first order was applicable to all the sorption data over the entire time range. The sorption data conformed well for the Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) onto alginate beads was 62.5 mg g-1 for Pb (II) ions. The maximum uptake of metal ions was obtained at pH 7. At temperature 35 degreeC, the biosorption of metal ions was found to be highest, with increase or decrease in temperature resulted in a decrease in the metal ions uptake capacity. The maximum removal efficiency of 94.02% was obtained at 100 mg I' of metal concentration with 200 numbers of immobilized beads. The results suggested that alginate beads can be used as a biosorbent for an efficient removal of Pb (II) ions from aqueous solution.