Abstract

Residual biomass, produced by the thermophilic fungus, Talaromyces emersonii CBS814.70, following growth on glucose-containing media, was examined for its ability to take up uranium from aqueous solution. It was found that the biomass had a relatively high observed biosorption capacity for the uranium (280 mg/g dry weight biomass). The calculated maximum biosorption capacity obtained by fitting the data to a Langmuir model was calculated to be 323 mg uranium/g dry weight biomass. Pretreatment of the biomass with either dilute HCl or NaOH brought about a significant decrease in biosorptive capacity for uranium. Studies on the effects of variation in temperature on the biosorptive capacity demonstrated no significant change in binding between 20 degrees C and 60 degrees C. However, a significant decrease in biosorptive capacity was observed at 5 degrees C. Binding of uranium to the biomass at all temperatures reached equilibrium within 2 min. While the routine binding assays were performed at pH 5.0, adjustment of the pH to 3.0 gave rise to a significant decrease in biosorption capacity by the biomass. The biosorptive capacity of the biomass for uranium was increased when extraction from solution in sea-water was examined.