Biosorption properties of zinc(II) from aqueous solutions by Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf

Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf biosorption efficiency for zinc(II) was determined. The biosorption efficiency of Zn(II) onto P. furfuracea was significantly affected by the parameters of pH, biomass concentration, stirring speed, contact time, and temperature. The maximum biosorption efficiency of P. furfuracea was 92% at 10 mg/L Zn(II), for 5 g/L lichen biomass dosage. The biosorption of Zn(II) ions onto biomass was better described by the Langmuir model and the pseudo-second-order kinetic. The obtained thermodynamic parameters from biosorption of Zn(II) ions onto biomass were feasible, exothermic, and spontaneous. The different desorbents were used to perform the desorption studies for Zn(II)-loaded biomass. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to determine the participating functional groups of P. furfuracea biomass in Zn (II) biosorption. The broad and strong bands at 3292–3304 cm^?1 were due to bound hydroxyl (–OH) or amine (–NH) groups. The effective desorptions were obtained up to 96% with HNO₃. P. furfuracea is an encouraging biosorbent for Zn(II) ions, with high metal biosorption and desorption capacities, availability, and low cost. It was believed that by using this new method in which biomass is used as a sorbent, the toxic pollutants could be selectively removed from aqueous solutions to desired low levels. The remarkable properties of lichens in the transformation and detoxification of organic and inorganic pollutants are well known, and many processes have received attention in the general area of environmental biotechnology and microbiology.

Implications:The remarkable properties of lichens in the biosorption capacity of organic and inorganic pollutants are well known, and many processes have received attention in the general area of environmental biotechnology and microbiology.