Biosorption of cadmium onto Pseudomonas fluorescens: Application of isotherm and kinetic models

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of Pseudomonas fluorescens biomass for the removal of cadmium ions from aqueous solutions. Batch experiments were performed to study the adsorption of cadmium on pH, Pseudomonas fluorescens biomass adsorbent with respect to initial Cd(II) concentration, contact time and biomass dose. The experimental data were modeled by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Langmuir model resulted in the best fit of the adsorption data. The maximum adsorption capacity for Cd(II) was 66.25 mg/g (pH 5.0 and 5 g/L biomass dose). Kinetics of adsorption followed second-order rate equations. The FTIR results of Pseudomonas fluorescens biomass showed that biomass has different functional groups and these functional groups are able to react with metal ion in aqueous solution. The results of the present study suggest that Pseudomonas fluorescens biomass can be used beneficially in treating industrial effluents containing heavy metal ions.