Two isolates belonging to the predominant genera
Aspergillus
and
Rhizopus
isolated from agricultural field treated with sewage/ industrial effluents were selected for the biosorption potential evaluation of Cr and Cd. Pretreated, dead biomass of above fungi was used for bioadsorption experiment at pH value 4.5 with the biomass, 1-5 mg in a 100 ml metal solution of different concentration (2, 4, 6 and 8 mM) with a contact time of 18 hrs and agitation, 120 rpm. Bioadsorption of Cr ranged from 6.20- 9.5 mg/g of dry mass at one or other initial metal concentrations by
Aspergillus and
Rhizopus sp. The bioadsorption of Cd was ranged from 2.3-8.21 mg/g. On the comparative basis
Rhizopus sp. could bioadsorbed higher concentration of both metals as compared to
Aspergillus sp. Bioadsorption of Cd and Cr was influenced by initial metal concentration and nature of organism. The findings revealed that fungi of metal polluted sites showed higher metal tolerance and bioadsorption capacity of chromium and cadmium. @JASEM
