Biosorption of lead by biomass of sulfate reducing bacteria

Sulfate reducing bacteria biomass was examined for the biosorption of lead using a batch equilibrium method. The biosorption capacity, as a ratio of the lead removed to the sulfate reducing bacteria biomass used, was found to be equal to 0.3. This ratio was found to be constant under different conditions of the batch reactor and the biomass used. This information can be used in determining both the overall metal removal rate by the active sulfate reducing bacteria biomass due to sulfides precipitation and biosorption as well as the metal removal rate due to biosorption by inactive biomass.