Biosorption of Cr(III), Fe(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) Ions from Liquid Laboratory Chemical Waste by Pleurotus ostreatus

Heavy metals present in the liquid laboratory chemical waste should be removed due to their hazards to human health and environment. Among them, Cr(III), Cu(II), Fe(II), Zn(II) are usually exist. The conventional treatments in the heavy metals removal have several limitations which encourage researchers to search for alternative treatment methods. One of possible method in the removal of heavy metal ion is through biosorption. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of white root fungus (mushroom) viz., P.ostreatus to absorb Cr(III), Cu(II), Fe(II), Zn(II) from liquid laboratory chemical waste. It was found that the best operating treatment process was at pH above 4.0. The highest biosorption efficiency for Fe(II) and Cu(II) was shown at pH 6 with 80.52% and 45.20% while Zn(II) at pH 4 (5.04%) and Cr(III) at pH 5 with 21.14% at agitation speed of 150 rpm and temperature of 25°C. Throughout the research, the percentage of removal was found to be increased with the increasing of contact time between P.ostreatus and liquid laboratory chemical waste. Almost 17.02% of Cr( III ), 55.35% of Fe(II), 15.34% of Cu(II) and 13.34% of Zn(II) were removed from chemical waste. This validates that P.ostreatus is potential as biosorbent for liquid laboratory chemical waste treatment.