The using of Lentinus concinnus the white rot fungus for removal of chromium (VI) from aqueous solutions

In this study, biosorption of Cr (VI) metal ions from aqueous solutions onto Lentinus concinnus, the white-rot fungus biomass were studied. The effects of pH, biosorbent dose, initial concentration of metal ions, temperature and contact time parameters on Cr (VI) removal were investigated in a batch system. Inactivation of fungal biomass was carried out by three different ways: acid, base and heat treatments. Active fungal biosorbent has lower Cr (VI) adsorption capacity (36,00 mg/g), than all of the inactivated biosorbents. Cr (VI) adsorption capacities of inactive biosorbents, are ranked from higher to lower as, acid treated (54,25 mg/g), base treated (62,38 mg/g) and heat treated biomass (74,75 mg/g). The heat treatment was evaluated as the most effective inactivation method for Cr (VI) removal. Maximum removal ratio for Cr (VI) was determined as 80,5% for 200 mg of heat treated biomass in 100 ml total volume. This obtained result was significantly higher than the results reported in literature. The maximum biosorption of Cr (VI) ions on the fungal biosorbents were obtained at pH 1.0.There is no any reported study in the literature about Lentinus concinnus. According the results obtained from these experiments, Lentinus concinnus biomass has the high potential to be used for the removal Cr (VI) ions from industrial wastewater.