Bioextraction of Cu (II) Ions from Acid Mine Drainage by Bacillus Thuringiensis

In this study, biosorption of Cu and Mn ions from Sarcheshme copper mine wastewater by a locally available bacterium, Bacillus Thuringiensis, was investigated in batch mode. Optimum amounts for various parameters such as contact time, pH, initial ion concentration, biosorbent dosage and temperature were determined. In the first 30 minutes, most of Cu and Mn ions were removed by the sorbent. Optimum pH and temperature were determined to be 6 and 308 K. The experimental data were fitted to both Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models. Desorption studies showed that bacterial biomass can be eluted by 1M HCL solution and reused in five biosorption-desorption cycles.