Fungus- An alternative for bioremediation of heavy metal containing wastewater: A review

Abstract

The common filamentous fungi can sorb heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Pb, Fe, Ni, Ag, Th, Ra & U) from aqueous solutions to varying extents. Fungal biosorption largely depends on parameters such as pH, metal ion and biomass concentration, physical or chemical pretreatment of biomass, and presence of various legends in solution. When compared with commercial ion exchange resins, carbons and metal oxides, fungal derivatives generally perform well. Biomass can be regenerated by using various elutants. The availability of variety of biomass and their metal binding potential makes it a economical and sustainable option for developing effluent treatment process for removal and recovery of heavy metals.