Abstract
Free cells of Rhizopus oryzae were used to study adsorption of several cations (Cu2+, Zn2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+) from
wastewater within various experimental conditions. The influence of biomass dosage, pH and temperature on the removal
process was investigated. The sorption efficiency increased with increasing the temperature in the range from 25 ºC to 30 ºC and
pH from 5 to 8. The maximum removal percentage was achieved at a biosorbent concentration 0.25 – 0.30 g/L of wastewater.
The optimal operating conditions removal order was found to be Cu2+ > Pb2+ ≈ Zn2+ > Cd2+ > Ni2+ > Mn2+. Promising results
were obtained in the laboratory, as effective metal removals were observed.