An indigenous Halomonas BVR1 strain immobilized in crosslinked chitosan for adsorption of lead and cadmium.

Biomacromolecules play an important role in the adsorption of metals. In this context, we have studied the potential of an indigenous Halomonas BVR1 strain (isolated from an electronic industry effluent) immobilized in a glutaraldehyde crosslinked chitosan matrix for the adsorption of lead and cadmium. Adequate physico-chemical characterizations and the study of thermodynamic and kinetic parameters authenticated the experimental observations and the interaction mechanism. The adsorption was facile in the pH range 5-7 and pseudo second order kinetic model was favourable for both the metals. The Langmuir adsorption capacities for lead and cadmium were found to be 24.15 mg g(-1) and 23.88 mg g(-1) respectively. The negative ΔG values confirmed the thermodynamic feasibility and this lucid approach highlights the utility of green methodology for heavy metal adsorption.