Biological leaching of heavy metals from a contaminated soil by Aspergillus niger

J Hazard Mater. 2009 Aug 15;167(1-3):164-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2008.12.104. Epub 2008 Dec 30.

Abstract

Bioleaching of heavy metals from a contaminated soil in an industrial area using metabolites, mainly weak organic acids, produced by a fungus Aspergillus niger was investigated. Batch experiments were performed to compare the leaching efficiencies of one-step and two-step processes and to determine the transformation of heavy metal chemical forms during the bioleaching process. After the one or two-step processes, the metal removals were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and least-significance difference (LSD). A. niger exhibits a good potential in generating a variety of organic acids effective for metal solubilisation. Results showed that after the one-step process, maximum removals of 56%, 100%, 30% and 19% were achieved for copper, cadmium, lead and zinc, respectively. After the two-step process, highest removals of 97.5% Cu, 88.2% Cd, 26% Pb, and 14.5% Zn were obtained. Results of sequential extraction showed that organic acids produced by A. niger were effective in removing the exchangeable, carbonate, and Fe/Mn oxide fractions of Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn; and after both processes the metals remaining in the soil were mainly bound in stable fractions. Such a treatment procedure indicated that leaching of heavy metals from contaminated soil using A. niger has the potential for use in remediation of contaminated soils.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aspergillus niger / chemistry*
  • Biodegradation, Environmental*
  • Carboxylic Acids / chemistry*
  • Carboxylic Acids / metabolism
  • Metals, Heavy / isolation & purification*
  • Soil Pollutants / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Carboxylic Acids
  • Metals, Heavy
  • Soil Pollutants