Removal and recovery of Cu(II) from industrial effluent by immobilized cells of Pseudomonas putida II-11

A copper [Cu(II)]-accumulating strain, Pseudomonas putida II-11, isolated from electroplating effluent removed a significantly high amount of Cu(II) from growth medium and buffer. A laboratory-scale fixed bed reactor with cells of P. putida II-11 immobilized in polyacrylamide gel was constructed. The adsorption of Cu(II) by the immobilized cells was pH-dependent. Maximum removal of Cu(II) by the immobilized cells was at pH 8.0. The presence of Cr(IV), Ni(II) and Zn(II) did not significantly inhibit Cu(II) uptake whereas the presence of Pb(II) reduced Cu(II) uptake by fivefold. The presence of borate, carbonate, chloride and sulphate did not significantly inhibit Cu(II) uptake. The Cu(II) removal capacity of the bioreactor with immobilized cells did not change significantly when operated at retention times greater than 3 min. More than 90% of Cu(II) adsorbed on immobilized cells could be recovered by eluting with 0.1 m HCl. The bioreactor could be used for at least five loading-elution cycles without loss of Cu(II) removal capacity. The feasibility of using this bioreactor to remove and recover Cu(II) from electroplating effluent is discussed.Correspondence to: P. K. Wong