Microbial removal of copper and lead from wastewater using free and immobilized yeast

Abstract

The contamination of aqueous environment by heavy metals is increasing due to the rapid modernization of industries high population growth urbanization and human activities Anthropogenic activities such as electroplating leather tanning alloys manufacture pigments production fertilizer manufacture dying wood preservation and nuclear plants discharge large amount of heavy metals This results in the accumulation of heavy metals in the environment These metals enter into the food chain and create severe ecological and health problems to the living system It is important to note that these heavy metals create severe problems even at low concentrations Commonly found metals in the aqueous environment are chromium mercury lead nickel copper zinc and cadmium Among these Copper and Lead are being given much attention in the recent past due its serious effects on the environment newlineConventional methods available for the removal of Cu II and Pb II ions includes chemical reduction followed by precipitation ion exchange membrane filtration reverse osmosis and adsorption However these methods are not cost effective and produce large amount of sludge Hence bioremediation of Cu II and Pb II ions using microorganisms newline newline