Use of dead and living fungal biomass for removal of hexavalent chromium

The removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution was carried out in batch experiments using dead and living biomass of Aspergillus niger. The effects of the operating parameters such as influent Cr(VI) concentration, influent pH and biomass concentration on the Cr(VI) reduction were investigated. The results indicates that the removal rate of Cr(VI) increased with a decrease in pH or with increase of Cr(VI) and biomass concentrations. For chromium bioaccumulation along with nutrients the process is the most intensive within the first 5 days of mycelium formation. For biosorption, the greatest binding of this metal is achieved within the first 4 days of the process.