Analysis of metal Bioleaching from thermal power plant fly ash by Aspergillus niger 34770 culture supernatant and reduction of phytotoxicity during the process

Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2015 Jan;175(2):870-81. doi: 10.1007/s12010-014-1323-2. Epub 2014 Oct 28.

Abstract

Aspergillus niger culture supernatant is used for bioleaching process. Before starting bioleaching process, fly ash was washed with distilled water. This removed 100 % sodium, 47 % (±0.45) boron, 38.07 % (±0.12) calcium, 29.89 % (±0.78) magnesium, and 11.8 % (±0.05) potassium. The pH was reduced from 10.5 to 8.5 after water washing. During bioleaching process, around 100 % metal removal was achieved in 4 h for all metals except chromium 93 % (±1.18), nickel 83 % (±0.32), arsenic 78 % (±0.52), and lead 70 % (±0.20). The process parameters including temperature, shaking speed, and solid/liquid ratio were optimized for bioleaching process. Experiments were conducted to evaluate effect of fly ash on growth of mung bean (Vigna radiata). At 20 g/100 ml fly ash concentration no germination of V. radiata seeds was observed. With an increasing concentration of untreated fly ash, a gradual decrease in root/shoot length was observed. After bioleaching process 78 % (±0.19) germination of V. radiata was observed with 20 g/100 ml fly ash. This study will help to develop an efficient process to remove the toxic metals from fly ash.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aspergillus niger / growth & development*
  • Aspergillus niger / metabolism*
  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Coal Ash / chemistry*
  • Culture Media, Conditioned / metabolism*
  • Fabaceae / drug effects
  • Fabaceae / growth & development
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Metals / isolation & purification*
  • Metals / metabolism*
  • Metals / toxicity
  • Power Plants*
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Coal Ash
  • Culture Media, Conditioned
  • Metals
  • Water