Biosorptive uranium uptake by a Pseudomonas strain: characterization and equilibrium studies

The biosorptive uranium(VI) uptake capacity of live and lyophilized Pseudomonas cells was characterized in terms of equilibrium metal loading, effect of solution pH and possible interference by selected co-ions. Uranium binding by the test biomass was rapid, achieving >90% sorption efficiency within 10 min of contact and the equilibrium was attained after 1 h. pH-dependent uranium sorption was observed for both biomass types with the maximum being at pH 5.0. Metal uptake by live cells was not affected by culture age and the presence of an energy source or metabolic inhibitor. Sorption isotherm studies at a solution pH of either 3.5 or 5.0 indicated efficient and exceptionally high uranium loading by the test biomass, particularly at the higher pH level. At equilibrium, the lyophilized Pseudomonas exhibited a metal loading of 541 ± 34.21 mg g−1 compared with a lower value by the live organisms (410 ± 25.93 mg g−1). Experimental sorption data showing conformity to both Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models indicate monolayered uranium binding by the test biomass. In bimetallic combinations a significant interference in uranium loading was offered by cations such as thorium(IV), iron(II and III), aluminium(III) and copper(II), while the anions tested, except carbonate, were ineffective. Uranium sorption studies in the presence of a range of Fe3+ and SO42− concentrations indicate a strong inhibition (80%) by the former at an equimolar ratio while more than 70% adsorption efficiency was retained even at a high sulfate level (30 000 mg dm−3). Overall data indicate the suitability of the Pseudomonas sp biomass in developing a biosorbent for uranium removal from aqueous waste streams. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry